I have a nice Enfield musket with letters carved into the stock. The Enfield does have confederate import markings (the Sinclair Hamilton & Co markings), and so was likely receivd and issued to Southern soldiers.
It is difficult to make out the name carved in the wood, but I think it is T J Kapps - a private in the 3rd NC, but if that is the case, then there are two extra letters after the name - E and R. I have seen examples where soldiers carved the initials of their early company name afer their name, such as "F R" standing for "Floyd Rifles"
My question then is -- does any know if this gentleman, who served as a private in company E of the 3rd NC Infantry, served in a company whose name might be abbreviated as "ER?"
Jeff Anderson