Model 1868 I just found at a yard sale...

[Tkacook]

That is really nice and with a 1868 breech block! Wow!

Andy

[Fred]

Thanks Andy. Yea, and number 127 too. Dicks rifle is number 62.

Somebody had put an ill fitting screw driver in one butt plate screw and in the lock mounting screws. However the lock seems to have not budged from the mortise since it was put on. Tight. It didn't want to come out and so I've left it alone for now. Oh, and I Did loosen the tang screw a tad too to relieve pinching of the lock plate.

[Fred]

It's important to remember that this rifle having the serial number of 127 stamped into it only means that it was the 127th barreled receiver grabbed out of the rack when the serial numbers were being applied to them all. It's impossible to tell in which order each was actually assembled. Being within the first 150 produced though is a pretty neat thing! This is a well made rifle.

[Dick Hosmer]

It's important to remember that this rifle having the serial number of 127 stamped into it only means that it was the 127th rifle grabbed out of the rack when the serial numbers were being applied to them all. It's impossible to tell in which order each was actually assembled. Being within the first 150 produced though is a pretty neat thing! This is a well made rifle.

I'd respectfully disagree about the "grabbed out of the rack" remark if a fully-assembled rifle was meant. Did you mean to describe pulling from a stack/stand/barrel of assembled (and numbered) barreled actions? I'd think that would be more likely. Of course, the 1868 is unique in the entire trapdoor series by having the matching barrel, and one would assume that the two components were numbered at the same time, almost certainly by hand - at least in the beginning. One has to wonder if the operation was ever completely jigged and mechanized because, while the font is consistent, the spacing is not, even up into the high 5-digit numbers.

While finding the "1868" block is a major thrill, that feature was - even if almost never seen - at least well documented and expected. What I feel is the major feature of those arms recently discovered is the totally un-expected early variety of the rear sight, having higher-placed 5 and 7 lines, smaller-font numbers, and NO 9 line. This feature occurs on 127, 62, and at least one other, however, other 68/68 owners have reported their sights as standard - so there is actually a super-rarity contained within a great rarity!

For those who may not be aware, Fred and I have been chasing this variant for probably 30 years, hence our unbridled enthusiasm!

[Fred]

Wow, are all of the other 16 rifles besides numbers 62 and 127 in pretty much the same nice condition?

Also, could you please tell me if a Civil War 1855 bayonet fits this rifle?

[Dick Hosmer]

I've handled three, and seen at least partial pictures of maybe 5/8 more. Most have been pretty decent, though 133 had heavy salt & pepper pitting and zero remaining blackening, when I encountered it in 1992.

While not having seen full pics of all specimens, I can (modestly I hope, since it is ALL luck of the draw - you don't get to make a choice) say that 62, even though it has some rough patches, shows the sharpest edges and least wear (as opposed to abuse from poor storage) of any specimen that I have, even partially, observed.

[Fred]

Apparently there was some sitting rust on the midpoint of the outside bow of the trigger guard of No.127 and on the lower sling swivel too where it rested against the trigger guard, and there is pitting on that area also. Otherwise, it all looks clean.

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

Slamming down of the Breech Block instead of lifting the thumb latch while closing the breech Block has resulted in some wood loss to the area of the thumb latch seat.

Also, someone has lowered the hammer down while the breech block was open, resulting in a dent from the hammer on the top of the lock mortis.
But like the gouged out chunk of wood in the butt of my Rod Bayonet 1903 Springfield, I can live with it.
Now I'm going to have to hand load some 50-70 rounds again with my Dixie 450 Grain mold and a box or two of Dixie brass and some large rifle primers. Can the primers be bought on line like Powder?

[Fred]

You know Dick, I'm thinking that I'm going to get one of the type I Springfield Armory Sharps 50-70's. I've wanted one since the mid 1970's and finally getting this one has primed my interest in that type again. Just that one rifle. Nothing more. Honest. I really mean it. This time I really do. Yep.

[Tkacook]

Thanks for all the pictures. I agree that the lock has not been removed for a very long time. Interesting that some of these exist outside of a museum. I appreciate you sharing the pictures. I know that you and Dick have very advanced collections. It's wonderful that you are able to document these for future collectors.

[Fred]

Glad you're enjoying the photos Tkacook!

[Fred]

[Fred]