66 spindle markings?

[Dan M.]

Finally back at my restoration project. Question regarding front spindles. I noticed while cleaning them up one has some identifying markings the other not so much. One also appears to have a smoother finish than the other. So wondering if one is original and one is not.
You can see a "3B" and an "M" on the upper neck of one of the spindles. It does look like a "B" in the same area on the other spindle but it is less clear. The forging on the one spindle is simply smoother.
Curious if any one has any thoughts or knowledge on this?
Thanks
Dan

[Gary B.]

Re: 66 spindle markings?

Dan,

Here’s a photo of a portion of one of the original spindles from my ‘66 that I recently restored. I had thought I was reading “38”, but I think it must be “3B”, like yours. When I removed the rust from my spindles (by soaking in 2 gallons of Evapo-Rust) you could clearly see the extent of orange/red ID paint covering about 3” of the lower end of the spindle (photo #2). Other than a drip line of orange/red about an inch away from that lower end (the spindle must have been hung or positioned upside down when the paint was still wet) there was no other trace of paint on the spindle. Which means my spindles were not painted everywhere, nor were both ends painted. Just the lower end. So, I dip painted the lower ends when I restored the spindles. One is shown drying in the paint drying area of my back yard in the last photo. Note that I decided not to hold the spindle upside down when the paint was still wet and dripping, so my spindles have no extra drip lines or drips of paint above the lower end. I only go so far when it comes to recreating what was there before.

Gary
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[Dan M.]

Re: 66 spindle markings?

Gary, excellent appreciate the response. Yours has the "M" in the same spot as well. Did both of your spindles have these markings? I can barely make out a "B" on the other one of mine but nothing else. Appreciate the info on the paint as well. I was considering what to do on this so that is helpful.

[Gary B.]

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 spindle markings?

Ok no worries, thanks Gary