New guy with a carbine stock question

[Brit-Tex]

Hello folks, I am new to the forum. My name is Fred, I am fifty-two and have been collecting militaria for around thirty years and re-enacting for about twenty. I bought my IBM carbine in the early 90's. It is a complete mixmaster but is very clean with a great bore ('44 dated Inland), flat topped bolt and a nice looking stock. All the parts are about the same shade of dark charcoal gray. The only exterior part that is actually correct for the reciever is the front sight. Many parts such as the trigger housing and recoil plate are Winchester. According to my research, the correct stock for this fairly early IBM would be an I-cut Rock-Ola.

Question- My stock is a low wood National Postal Meter marked Trimble TN with a faint plain "P" on the pistol grip and a number "25" on the bottom of the grip. The only other markings are the part that puzzles me. On the right side centered above the safety is "\/FIRE>SAFE" in 1/2" tall letters. Has anyone seen a stock marked like this? When would this have been done? How unusual is this?

Thanks

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[Johnny Peppers]

Not something done in the military. The original safety was a left to right push button safety. With the push button magazine release and the safety so close together it was decided to change the safety to a 90 degree flip safety. Down was safe and forward was fire, and it appears someone marked it to remind the person using it which way the safety functioned.

[Brit-Tex]

Thanks Johnny,

I typed the marking incorrectly. It should have read:
Cheers, Fred

[INLAND44]

Do you think it will sand out? I wouldn't want it on my stock. Are there any rebuild marks on the stock since you have an obvious rebuild? Look closely at LH side of the stock below rear sight in the sunlight.

[Brit-Tex]

I looks like there are three widely spaced letters. The letters are very hard to make out but they could be: A A F

[phil441]

Personally, I'd leave it alone. It's part of it's history.

[Mikey51]

AA is Augusta Arsenal, SAA is San Antonio Arsenal. Someone might know what AAF could be.

[usgicollector]

Augusta Arsenal with the inspector being F = AAF