Needham Conversions from 5 feet away all look exactly the same. But there are important differences. Some of these differences are known and some are a mystery. This section covers all the parts that make up a Needham Conversion.
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Receiver
The receiver is the most complex part of the Needham. Only 1 difference has been noted in the 180 Needhams on the site. The basic construction and dimensions is the same on all Needham receivers. Inside the cavity of the receiver where the cartridge is inserted, some are smooth, but most have grooves. This is believed to just be a difference in machining the part for production. Whether it has grooves or not in no way changes the performance.
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Extractor
No differences have been noted in Needham extractors
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Breech Block
There are two differences noted in the Breech Blocks.
Machined forward end where firing pin exits.
some are smooth and some have grooves. There is no difference in
performance between the two.
At some point in the production line, the firing pin location screw
was changed. I believe the original location is closer to the center of the block(Type 1).
the upgraded location is closer to the forward end of the block(Type 2). Also shown is what is believed to be the transition block from Type 1 to Type 2.
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Breech Plug
The breech plug is a standard M1861/63 breech plug. The modification is the threaded end is cut at an angle to facilitate the breech block closing. There no differences from a Needham standpoint. Some may have an inspectors stamp and some may have a C for condemned. This would have been stamped before use in the Needham. Example below has a C
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Lock Plate
All Needham lock plates are standard M1863 lock plates. The only modification is cut it for for fitment of the receiver. The only differences are whether it is forward or rear dated(Bridesburg and New York only).
Some Bridesburg and New York lock plates will have an O stamped on the plate. None of these stamping differences have anything to do with it being used in a Needham. A lock can be stamped with Bridesburg, Springfield, Mowry, Trenton, New York, Norwich, Providence, Savage, Watertown, William Muir and some are completely blank.
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Hammer
The hammer has more differences than any other part of the Needham. Every Needham uses a M1863 hammer regardless what model the rest of the Needhams. Taking a quick look at Needham hammers they all look the same. However, there are important differences.
1. There are 4 different types of pins used to attach the wedge to the hammer.
2. The heel of the wedge, most are flared into the hammer, some are cut off
3. The crown of the hammer, most are oval but some are a slot
4. The wedge joint, most have a horizontal line and some have have two vertical lines.
5. The checkering on the thumbpiece, most have a shield with rounded sides. Some have a shield with flat sides, and others just have hatched lines.
Below are examples of the differences:
Hammer/Wedge Pins
Heel of the wedge
Hammer Crown
Hammer/Wedge Joint
Thumbpiece Checkering
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