Little tid-bits on Needham Conversions
_______________________________________________________
1. The famous O is only on some 1862 dated Bridesburg barrels.
2. The O is only on some 1861, 62, and, 63 dated Bridesburg locks
3. The O on stocks is always under the cartouche of Charles G. Curtis (CGC)
4. The forward date Bridesburgs are only 1861 and some 1862 dated locks.
5. It is believed there were 5020 Needham Conversions but I have my doubts.
6. The highest hammer number uncovered thus far in the website is 1455.
7. Historians say there were possibly up to 1000 Bridesburgs marked with IR and a shamrock.
8. They say around 6500 Bridesburgs were stamped with IN.
9. Hammer and hammer wedge numbers are stamped with at least six known fonts
10. At least three different hammer wedges were used in Needham Conversions.
11. Two different known breech blocks with different retaining screw locations were drilled.
12. Three different hammer wedge pins have been utilized, 2 flat, 1 round head, 1 inlet.
13. There are at least 12 different known lock-makes using the Needham Conversion.
14. Fenians converted their muskets to breech-loaders using an armory in Trenton, New Jersey that shut down after the Civil War ended.
15. There are 4 Needham Conversions in the Springfield museum in Springfield Massachusetts.
16. There is 1 Needham in the Atlanta History Museum.
17. There are two Needham Conversions in the Columbus Georgia Infantry Museum.
18. There are three Needhams in the Nebraska History Museum
19. Only one Needham out of 170 in this website uses the Convex No Screw barrel band.
_______________________________________________________