New (to me) 1866

[Lead Snowstorm]

Finally had the chance to photograph my latest trapdoor, the 1866 I mentioned in the other thread. As always, tremendous thanks to Mr. Hosmer for his advice.

https://i.imgur.com/rlVyuDMh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Xjqt4qXh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MhFVnM4h.jpg

Unfortunately the cleaning rod is a problem - it doesn't screw in.

https://i.imgur.com/KlA2fSZh.jpg

The barrel liner can be seen clearly.

https://i.imgur.com/WmHuTFah.jpg

Still some case color on the hammer and sideplate, and the blackened finish on the door is still nice.

https://i.imgur.com/Jiaj0GOh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/A9OrMpgh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dlK4Laih.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HpLnmSJh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lONTVunh.jpg

Flat shows two cartouches, overlapping SWP and ESA.

https://i.imgur.com/440bIc1h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oLPIsGqh.jpg

The sight appears to have the numbering on the 'correct' side, facing the shooter.

https://i.imgur.com/YY44uPjh.jpg

Looks like it is marked "5," "3," and an ampersand "&" sign near the bottom. Had a bit of a hard time getting a good photo with my phone.

https://i.imgur.com/oGYn4xvh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9MYRatoh.jpg

Appears to be the "L" firing proof, and maybe a sub-inspector "O" mark. There's no trace of any fancy "N" left, to my eye.

https://i.imgur.com/nkScg3ih.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/g7oIkBYh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lFEMYOTh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kEqZkX9h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/o6f0pZLh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/J496Cmdh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GROQT0Wh.jpg

Decent bore, some pitting.

https://i.imgur.com/Qu0rTNGh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ixwl9X0h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wlvDhWkh.jpg

[JimF]

WOW, Lead . . . Beautiful rifle!!

One thing though . . . .

If you remove both lock plate screws, notice if the ends are different. . .that is, see if one is flat, the other convex.

In your photos, I think the flat end screw is in view (front).

In original Springfield manufacture, the convex end screw was to the front, while the flat end was to the rear (flat end under the hammer).

Most guys don’t notice these “minutia”, but I do.

Now, let’s talk about sling installation . . . . .

[Carlsr]

WOW!!! That's a really nice rifle.
Congrats!

[Tkacook]

One of the nicest one of those I have ever seen. Amazing!

[butlersrangers]

Lovely Model 1866 rifle, you did well!

[Edatbeach]

Nice!
Is that a “new” not conversion stock? I don’t see a ramrod spoon pin.

[Lead Snowstorm]

If you remove both lock plate screws, notice if the ends are different. . .that is, see if one is flat, the other convex.

In your photos, I think the flat end screw is in view (front).

In original Springfield manufacture, the convex end screw was to the front, while the flat end was to the rear (flat end under the hammer).


I see what you mean...when I get a chance I’ll see what the one under the hammer looks like.

And I also do not see the pin hole for any retainer spring.

[lyman]

nice looking rifle and really good pics!

[Dick Hosmer]

That is a very, VERY nice 1866 - you did extremely well. No need to even think about ever wanting to "upgrade" - that's a keeper!

While seemingly trivial, the lock screw thing IS a big deal, as - if all the little clearances run the wrong way, the domed one can bind the hammer if turned in too far.

[Kragrifle]

Is the presence or absence of the ram rod spoon pin important?

[Tkacook]

I wondered the same thing. I noticed the spoon pin was missing.

[Dan Shapiro]

Nice rifle!

As for a proper sling:

https://regtqm.com/product/m1855-m1863-springfield-oiled-heavy-duty-leather-sling-made-in-gettysburg-pa/

[bruce]

Simply beautiful 66TD! Sincerely. bruce.

[Lead Snowstorm]

Got the screws switched around and pulled out the older brother for a family pic. (The other TDs are in the back of the safe...too much work for a lazy post-Christmas week!)

https://i.imgur.com/0z6kSpkh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OGWENLHh.jpg

[Dick Hosmer]

And a very nice M1865 as well - a great pair, and both are nicer than my examples.

[Fred]

I wondered the same thing. I noticed the spoon pin was missing.

I believe that the rod screws into a threaded nut in the stock doesn’t it?

[Dick Hosmer]

That is correct, for both the 1865 and 1866 conversions.

[Tkacook]

Forgot these were screw in rods. Thanks guys!

[Kragrifle]

How often are the stocks on 2nd Allin rifles converted musket stocks vs new production?

Most of the 2nd Allin rifles I have seen (as well as my 1867 cadet) have a script N behind the TG. Comments?

[Fred]

How often are the stocks on 2nd Allin rifles converted musket stocks vs new production?

Most of the 2nd Allin rifles I have seen (as well as my 1867 cadet) have a script N behind the TG. Comments?

Here’s a script N under the wrist of my model 1868 trapdoor serial number 6.

[RicM]

Beautiful!!

[Lead Snowstorm]

How often are the stocks on 2nd Allin rifles converted musket stocks vs new production?

Most of the 2nd Allin rifles I have seen (as well as my 1867 cadet) have a script N behind the TG. Comments?

Finally had the opportunity to do a bit more research and digging on the TD collectors site, found this thread:

https://www.trapdoorcollector.com/cgi-bin/afrasca/bulletin/config.pl?read=40174

One of Dr. Frasca's responses is illuminating:


The used M66's were bought by Bannerman. The ones that were not used were bought by SH&G. Most F-P guns have the left flat sanded down to the lock washers and the cartouches removed. Then the HSH sub inspector stamp was applied. Now, after all this modification, Springfield made 3560 NEW M66 rifles between 1870 and 1878. Springfield also cleaned and repaired 580 M66 rifles between 1876 and 1881. These rifles can be found with no cartouches, or two cartouches very close to one-another and sometimes slightly over lapping. They will not have the script N firing proof, but some will have the circled P firing proof.

In addition, some beautiful M66s have shown up for sale on the site, and reference is made to this one lacking the spoon cut and pin through the stock: https://www.trapdoorcollector.com/5-28M66.html


This Model 1866 rifle was produced sometime after the F-P War since the stock is new without a spoon cut or spoon pin through the stock. We believe it was one of the nearly 5,000 M66's produced for the states between 1871 and 1873. This one does not have a cartoche or firing proof and appears new since the blackening on the block, strap and sight look to be untouched.