The crowned number was used on British swords from 1796 until 1820, after that it was a crown over letter (E=Enfield etc.) then a number.
I had never heard the numbers were kept secret. In France, the number or initial of the inspector identified each by name; in America inspectors used their initials. Whatever the case it seems most inspectors were known.....uncertain why they would keep names secret, but have never seen listing of who these guys were.
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