And yet another 1868 dated 1868 Springfield...

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

The thicker Rod is of course very stiff and is harder to flex and remove.
The firing pin spring is also Very strong.
This number 6 seems to be a very robust rifle.

[Dick Hosmer]

The thicker rod would have been made of stock intended for the 1866, since those rods are notably heavier.

Wonder how they got the shoulder in the days before arc-welding? Don't think the whole thing was turned from 1/2" stock - probably stamped to rough form while red-hot, then turned and machined. Of course, for such an experimental item they might just added it by hammer-welding a lump and then turning it. Does the shoulder on the thick rod look "added" or part of the shaft?

[Fred]

Dick, it looks like part of the shaft to me. I'm not any kind of an expert though. I'm not sure on just what to look for. I wish you and Al could hold it and take it apart. If either one of you two guys should ever one day decide you'd like to buy or trade me for rifle number 6, I'd be very interested in what you learn and have to share about it!
I want to hang onto my 1868 number 127, but not being any kind of a scholarly collector, I don't need rifle number 6 too.
Its many and varied unique features should be documented. I'd like to see either you or Al get it Dick. In the mean time, it isn't going anywhere. Come by for a visit Dick if you're out driving around this way looking for a good place to watch the big Solar Eclipse from that's moving through here sometime this year.
My wife and I are going to thankfully not have to drive far at all to reach a spot that'll experience Total whatever they call it. Probably no more than 2 hours away or less.

[Dick Hosmer]

I'd like #6, but - kinda like you - I'm very happy with my #62.

And, even if you made me a fantastic offer, I'd have to pass ($$$ times have changed). I don't THINK Al would be interested - I'm sure he has a few nice guns squirreled away, but I've always looked upon him as a scholar rather than a collector - that was Bob Hill's function. He had the guns, but no yen to write - Al was just the opposite; made for a winning combination

[Fred]

I think that I'll get the two trapdoor books from Al. Long overdue for that.

[Fred]

The position of each lever on the cam shaft of each rifle's breech block is positioned differently from the other. The difference is immediately noticeable upon opening each breech block.

[Fred]

Here's the difference in wear and condition of the butt plates of each rifle.
The butt plate of rifle number 6 suggests that it hasn't had a lot of exposure to the elements since the rifle's assembly.
I wonder where the rifle has been squirreled away all of this time.

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

Well it was so warm outside this morning that I took some photos of 1868 rifle number 6. A cloudy sky keeps the glare down and improves focus, I think.

[Fred]