The firing pins in Needham conversion in the beginning was an evolving process. There as a problem with with the long snouts breaking so a shorter snout replaced the longer one. There was also a change in the shape of the wedge. Since the wedge provides a glancing blow and not a direct hit the earlier wedge tended to break off at the shoulder. After the raid in 1870, most if not all the Needhams were confiscated in some cases the firing pins and rear sights were removed by U.S. authorities to “de-militarize” the weapons. A lot of Needhams bought today are missing their firing pin. This could be becuse it was one of the ones de-militarized or it could be as simple as it was broken, taken out and never replaced. There is just no way of knowing. It is not really known how many had the pins and/or the sights removed.
A complete firing pin:
A broken firing pin:
Aft end of breech block with firing pin installed:
Forward of firing pin:
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