[Held for Ransom]

I read it as 298, missing the year. The 4A, is like the 1A on the one I posted (assembler or inspector stamp). I also see a 2 stamped on the cover, maybe it was the year. Being that yours was built right before the strike, maybe it was fixed under warranty early on after purchase. I would read the cast date of cover as 83 2 (March 25th, 1972), but again, I could be wrong.