Updated: 03.24.2025
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A feature seen on some Needham Conversions is an IN or IR/Shamorick stamp on the left flat. The IN is usually in the center of the left flat and the IR/Shamrock is just behind and below the rear lock screw head on the left flat. There were many more stamped IN than were stamped IR Shamrock. According to Kenneth L. Smith-Christmas and Ross Jones, authors of “The Fenian Needham Conversion Rifle:
A Tangible Piece of Irish, American, and Canadian History” The ones stamped with IR/Shamrock(Irish Republic) pre date the big purchase of the Bridesburg muskets sold to the Fenians by Alfred Jenks & Sons of Bridesburgs Pennsylvania. Theses muskets were bought by the Fenians after the Civil War and consisted of various makes of muskets bought by the O’Mahony wing of the Fenians. It is not presently known how many were bought and how many were stamped. The 7500 muskets bought by the Roberts wing of the Fenian were stamped with IN(Irish Nation) on the flat.
There are two Needhams in my collection stamped with IR/Shamrock and 4 stamped with IN.
Out of 67 Needhams in the database with a known either IN, IR or no stamp there are 32 known stamped with IN, 7 stamped with IR/Shamrock, and 28 with no stamp.
All of these are from my collection.
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IR/Shamrock
Hammer #28
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IR/Shamrock
Hammer #1160
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IN
Hammer #39
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IN
Hammer #130
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IN
Hammer #287
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IN
Hammer #377
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