Did I read that right; You spent 300 hours researching the maker of these stencils?
Yes that is right way over 300 hours on the research and I am in the process of writing an article now. Although very difficult to track the makers, it was some of the best research I have done.
With these being 19 inches full rounds they could have also been used for production codes on Barrel Lids. I am sure there could have been a multitude of uses for them. I had an old timer tell me that he can remember when he was very young seeing one of the Gulf Rounds with the numerals on the side of a gas station. Could have been put there to advertise the type of gas and or oil that they sold. Any theory is a good one on these.
