Gamechaser
40 Cal
I believe I have an early Us Springfield before they converted them to trap door
-
This community needs YOUR help today. We rely 100% on Supporting Memberships to fund our efforts. With the ever increasing fees of everything, we need help. We need more Supporting Members, today. Please invest back into this community. I will ship a few decals too in addition to all the account perks you get.
Sign up here: https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/account/upgrades -
Friends, our 2nd Amendment rights are always under attack and the NRA has been a constant for decades in helping fight that fight.
We have partnered with the NRA to offer you a discount on membership and Muzzleloading Forum gets a small percentage too of each membership, so you are supporting both the NRA and us.
Use this link to sign up please; https://membership.nra.org/recruiters/join/XR045103
1868 springfield
- Thread starter Gamechaser
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Gamechaser
40 Cal
Not too familiar with this rifle so any information would be greatly appreciated
64Springer
75 Cal.
Pics?
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2005
- Messages
- 225
- Reaction score
- 140
IIRC, the 1863/64 Springfields were used in the early post civil war conversions.
Gamechaser
40 Cal
64Springer
75 Cal.
Looks like a '63 lock plate with a '61 hammer, '61 barrel and '61 stock.
The plate screws are too short. They should be close to flush with the plate.
Nice original condition.
The plate screws are too short. They should be close to flush with the plate.
Nice original condition.
Gamechaser
40 Cal
Is that normal to have mismatched parts
Phil Coffins
69 Cal.
It’s a model 1861 made in 1863 that’s why the lock is dated 1863. The lock screws may just be loose and if so just tighten them to bring them up flush. It’s not miss matched.
64Springer
75 Cal.
A lot has happened with those rifles in 155 years. I would say mismatched parts is normal to a point. As in locks being rebuilt.
The lock plate looks like the newest addition. It is less rusty than the other parts. Or it was cleaned of its rust.
Gamechaser
40 Cal
I haven't cleaned it yet, I'll tear it down and see what is up with the screws
64Springer
75 Cal.
Good call. Rub it down with Ballistol. No abrasive "Restoring" of any kind.
Beautiful old rifle.
Gamechaser
40 Cal
Everything seems to be in really good shape. No pitting of any kind, and the stock is in really good shape
Gamechaser
40 Cal
I was going to leave it all original, patina and all
64Springer
75 Cal.
Grab a magnifying glass and see if you can read the acceptance cartouche on the left stock panel.
Should be three letters in heavy/curly script inside a box.
The letters will be the initials of the factory inspector.
Should be three letters in heavy/curly script inside a box.
The letters will be the initials of the factory inspector.
Gamechaser
40 Cal
I can see the Box on the left side of the stock but I cannot read what it says. There is a u m or GM stamped on the side of the barrel. I cannot see a date on top though
It is an 1861 pattern rifle musket manufactured in1863 under contract by Bridesburg. From what I can see by the 2 photos everything looks original. The seemingly empty screw hole near the top and partially covered by the hammer is for the rear lock screw which as Phil Coffins says may not be screwed in all the way. The 2 lock screws are of different lengths with the top one being shorter so as to not touch the hammer. The empty screw hole near the bottom of the plate held the sear and also the lower end of the bridle. The hole above it is for the sear spring screw which doesn't seem to be screwed in full length.
Gamechaser
40 Cal
It took quite a bit of work to get the lock off, both screws are in all the way.
The barrel date is stamped on the top flat of the barrel not far ahead of the nipple. There should be a V over a P over an eagle on the left flat of the barrel.
Gamechaser
40 Cal
I found the V over the p on the left Barrel flat but I cannot find the date
