Please bear with me, I'm having difficulty uploading this picture, it seems to be too large to fit on the screen. Anyway, I checked out the seam a little closer and it stops 1/4 in. from the top on both corners. I couldn't get a very useful photo of the seam due to the cork, so I decided to take this opportunity to post a pic. of the bottom. There is also a seam below the bottom screw thread that runs all the way around the neck. Also after a quick look at digger odells patent table could the 27 on the bottom be a design #? The govt. always get the best technology first?? I think we're all guessing here but if someone here really knows what this is, please let me know!! Thank You!! wm