Agree, Ron,

That's pretty much what I said earlier. What I did not say was that I thought the number was cast into the guard when it was made. I don't see how a guard could be struck that hard and not show signs of bending. I have seen early SS guards where large numbers were struck forcefully enough to bent the guard inward enough to require the wood of the grip to be filed down.

What I'd like to see is the inside of the guard.