Lock Manufacturer = Bridesburg
Lock Date = Type 1
Fenian Stamp = Type 3
Fenian Cut = Type 1
“O” Lock = No
“O” Stock = No
Breech Block = Type 1 and Type 2
Hammer Shield = Unknown
Wedge Crown = Type 1
Wedge Pin = Type 1
Wedge Joint = Type 1
Wedge Heel = Type 1
Rear Barrel Band = Type 1
Stock = Type 1
Rear Sight = Type 2
Butt Cap = Type 1
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This one has several things going on that make it interesting. First the two holes in the breech block. Some of the earlier firing pins were breaking so a change was made and the screw retention hole was changed. These are referred to as Type and Type II. This one has the hole in both locations. It could mean this is the prototype for the firing pin change or it could have been a gunsmith drilling the hole at a later date to accomodate a new firing pin. We will never know
The other item of interest is the cut stock. This Needham obviously started out as a M1863. It is known now the Fenians like to use M1861’s for their cut stock. The flat bands are wider than the clamped bands so it hides the cut better and probably adds a little stability. So on this one when the cut was a made a to this M1863 a M1861 forearm was utilized as noted by the flat bands.
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