Calvary carbine with altered numbers

[tatou]

I cant see how an owner would choose to stamp the steel, before applying a sticker.

And i agree 100% with you on that... on the other hand i can't see an owner chopping up a very nice carbine neither... yet we find them all too often.
Never underestimate bubba's logic. I'm sure who ever stamped those numbers had a ''very'' good reason. (in his mind)
As for the font numbers appearing vintage, no one can say for sure when they were made. Old punchs are still around, i have a couple of sets myself. (and no i never renumbered a rifle with them)