Karl,
Just wanted to follow up. Husqvarna was exactly right. The letters that appeared to be stamped into the "bushing were melted there from the drum part. Incredible.
I am truly humbled. I think I have learned a very valuable lesson from all this. Please accept my sincere apologies. Thanks for your help.
Foch Smart
Karl,
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I have seen the attached schematic. The bushing is made around the sprocket on the clutch housing (see photos). I sent these pictures to Husqvarna and they replied "After a closer review, what appears to be a washer or nylon spacer is simply excess string or debris that has melted due to high heat then cooled off and formed into a washer like part."
Not sure how the letters on the bushing happened to form upon melting.