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************
