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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: yeovil, somerset, uk
Posts: 75
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hi all, Can anyone please let me know what the 4 means above the heart shaped
east indian company marking. what I have is a musket with the a heart shaped outline with the letters E I C split up inside the heart and the letter 4 on top the heart. I have no idea what the 4 stands for. any ideas. michael |
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#2 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,894
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Hi Michael,
The EIC marking on your weapon is the 'balemark' of the East India Co. which was actually used to mark thier goods transported in trade, as well as various uses as seen here on musket lockplates. The 4 seen atop the balemark, which was initially the heart with quartered sections holding the initials VEIC. Contrary to popular belief, the V , often thought to mean 'venerable' , was actually a 'U' in the lettering of the times, and meant 'United'. These balemarks, or merchants marks, were often derived from various applications of the cross and orb, the markings seen on many German blades (see the thread 'Early Makers Trademarks' in the top section of our forum). From what I understand, the initial quartered heart had the cross above it. Presumably these balemarks were not only to mark their goods, but the cross added imbued invocation for protection from the perils at sea and others. In concerns that the cross might disturb those of other faiths, and in keeping with international trade diplomacy, the number 4, often a talismanically associated numeric with the sign for Jupiter, a lucky one, was adopted ostensibly to conveniently conceal the cross. This was a practice known from ancient times with Christians using symbols and allegories to identify themselves and place devotional marks. For the Jewish faith, the cabala offered the same type coded character. In time, the 4 was ceased, and the character of the heart was changed as a flaunched (heraldic semicircles) design held the initials, though in many cases the 4 remained. In about 1806 the Company started using the rampant lion as a symbol until its demise in 1857, when the British government took over. The attachments show the quartered EIC heart, the 'flaunched design', and the rampant kion. Hope this helps. Post some pictures of the markings on your lock OK? All the best, Jim *******finito************ ![]() Last edited by Jim McDougall; 8th November 2010 at 09:10 PM. |
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#3 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,894
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Glad this was helpful, sure boosted traffic on the makers trademark thread
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#4 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,894
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Michael,
Just curious, is the reason you are not showing photos of the marking because the weapon is for sale? If you need assistance with items you are selling I would be happy to assist you if you will contact me privately. This was an interesting question and one I have spent some time studying, so it is a bit disappointing to not hear from you to carry the discussion further. Best regards, Jim |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: yeovil, somerset, uk
Posts: 75
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Hi the reason for not showing pics was that some tor rag broke into my car and had my camera away/ my little old camera just will not give very good pictures so whats the point. michael
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#6 | |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
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