Whatzit?? A Hand Stamp Or Machine Cancel?

In need your help in the identification of this backstamp!!!



Is this black 25mm rimless "NEW ORLEANS LA 1 REC'D / APR 5 10AM 94 (1894)" back stamp a hand stamp or is it a machine cancel service mark?

I wonder if it could be a machine cancel service mark or an experimental service mark as it resembles some American Postal Machine Co., rimless cancels tested in Philadelphia, Pa., and Boston, Mass.

Thank you for any information on this cancel and your help.

Best,
Hal


P.S. The distorted letters (NS) in "ORLEANS) was cause by the device "sliding/sliding" off the envelope flap. This is one of the reasons I think it may be a machine mark. (But, I'm probably wrong. )

Please show a scan of the entire back side. Accurate interpretation of postal history needs to show markings in full context.

(It is a handstamp, but a full scan will make the explanation easier for all to understand.)

As requested

plus the front


Many, many Thanks, John!

Hope you're keeping warm.

Best,
Hal

Excellent images! The "Rec'd." text is a service marking which appears in both handstamps and machine markings.

The characteristics of a typical machine cancel used in a large town would be a town dial (with or without a killer) that is square with the top or bottom edge of the mail piece. Also a machine cancel is fairly close to the edge – just as the Chicago origin machine cancel is on the front. Any blurring or elongation/compression tends to occur in the direction of machine travel. There are exceptions of course with various low-end simple machines , misfeeds, etc.

Comparing the Chicago origin machine cancel with the New Orleans backstamp should demonstrate the differences. The New Orleans postmark on the back side is larger than a typical machine dial, not printed square with any edge, away from any long edge of the mail piece, and bounced a bit to partially double some of the lettering . You have a handstamp cancel on the back side.

Here is a cover with a machine cancel when it arrived at the main office (one might argue a "transit" cancel), and a handstamp cancel a few hours later when it arrived at the station for final delivery:



And a postal card with machines used for origin and destination - properly placed on the front of the card, rather than on the reverse side for envelopes.