LMS Stencil

I visited a local antiques fair a few weeks ago and on one stall I spotted a metal stencil, lettered "LE'SHIRE S.R." and on a second line, "L.M.S." (see photos appended). It measured about 14 x 8 inches and, judging by its weight, I think it was made of aluminium. A little incongruously, it was fitted with a small handle similar to those used on office date stamps.

The dealer was a chap I know slightly, so asked what he knew about it, but he was only aware that it was pre-nationalisation. I did point out that the reference to LMS/SR would mean it was post grouping (1923).

I wasn't tempted to invest, but was intrigued enough to have been thinking about it a bit since. A quick google revealed it was previously sold as part of a bigger lot at an auction in Nottingham, during February, but there was no info there either.

I cannot see it having been used to mark up wagons as:

• The evidence of paint remaining on it shows that to have been black, so it seems unlikely.
• Putting it onto a wagon would infer that wagon being dedicated to a particular traffic and if that were the case you'd think it would be properly signwritten.

The only logical alternative would seem to be for use on packing crates that were to be despatched by train. However, the legend would not, in itself, provide enough information to identify a sender or the recipient. Additional details would therefore have to be given, presumably on some sort of label(s). That then begs the question, "Why not just put all the details on the label?"

Any sensible suggestions anyone?