And yet another 1868 dated 1868 Springfield...

[Fred]

I removed the rear sight first of course and then replaced it.

[Fred]

I've not removed the lock yet or the trigger guard.

[Fred]

So Dick, it appears that Springfield Armory really went full out to produce different versions, fits and finishes of rifles being examined and tested. I wonder why the bluing was never adopted.

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Dick Hosmer]

I would think that, as Al said yesterday on his site, that test guns were cobbled up from available parts. What was mainly being tested on the 1868 was the receiver and block, and of lesser importance a new mode of rod retention. I think your stock is a modified 1866 - the filler was probably intended to flush off the horsehoe spring cut. Is there a filled band-spring mortise in the old mid-band posititon? If not, the wood may have ORIGINALLY been from an 1863 Type 1 musket which used clamping bands (which now that I think about it were blued!)

[Fred]

Next to to an 1866 Springfield, it appears that there's no filled in spring channel.

[Fred]

By golly Dick, you're right! The bands Were blued.

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Dick Hosmer]

It might be an optical illusion, but does the end of thumblatch pin stick out further than normal, compared to 127?

[Fred]

No, it is just rounded off more and so contoured differently. The cam and latch is different on No. 6
The lever is set at a different angle.

[Kragrifle]

If the rod has a shoulder it can't be a modified 1866. It must be originally made with the shoulder.