27-2 cylinder number

[Homie]

I have two M27-2s and both have a "2" on the rear of the cylinders.
Does anyone know the significance of it?
Other than the actual serial number on some early guns, and "N" on the nickel ones, I'm curious as to the marking and would appreciate an expert explanation.

TIA

 

[Hondo44]

Uncommon single digit stamps like that are typically an inspector mark. The cyl passed inspection for something and the 2 is the code # for whoever inspected it or approved some stage in the cyl production, testing, or just coded for use or return to a specific assembler.

That's been my experience so i can only speculate. Most marks are well know but not all. It obviously is not one of the better known marks documented that I know of in the S&W books.