Mahle usually has a casting number on the base or transfer ports to identify the cylinder. Perhaps if you get a picture Daj will come along and identify it for us. I don't have the resources that Nikko does when it comes to casting numbers!
On top of the cylinder, in the ground flat area where the casting riser was removed, there was a pattern of stamped characters. If I remember right it was a tiny 0 over a tiny 1, then a larger B, then a tiny 3 over 3. Is that the sort of thing you're looking for? The other markings are all cast into the flange at the base, rather than stamped.
I have no idea whether it's better, but it seems to be a solid saw. I've got it clean enough to see what it needs, and fortunately none of those parts are especially rare or expensive. I'm putting an order together right now. If not for having to get that broken screw out of the case, it would take about 10 minutes to get it all in proper order.
Jon1270, I just sent a message off to Daj (Saw Troll aka Nikko) to see if I can get the saw dated from the cylinder casting number. Don't be in a big hurry to flip it until we hear back from Daj, you might give up some coin! 175PSI is real close to what the KS P/C did on that saw. so I am interested to see if the saw may be from some sort of transition period, e.g. Mahle copied the KS cylinder exactly! If that is the case the C/P may very well be worth MORE than you paid for the entire saw!
Another clue, albeit unreliable: date codes molded into the plastic sprocket cover / brake assembly suggest those parts were made in February of '93.
More date codes on the plastic... starter rope spool: Dec. '92 air filter cover: Nov. '92 top cover: Feb. '93
Daj? Where did that come from? BTW, you should invite him to the site....I dont think we have any members from Norway!
This other 262 I had had a decomp cylinder. Dont remember the cylinder maker though. Guy I know in Ohio that bought my other older 262, has 6 262xp .