And yet another 1868 dated 1868 Springfield...

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Fred]

[Dick Hosmer]

You've really got something there! We need to get Al involved. What's with the hole in the block, I wonder?

[Fred]

Dick, the hole is for the screw that retains the firing pin. The firing pin is not like the later type we all know of. There's a groove machined out of its side to allow the edge of the screw to pass through. Really a different concept that wasn't adopted in the later 1868's.

[Fred]

The tip of the cleaning rod on the number 6 rifle is cupped like the rod on the 1866. The tip on the rod of the number 127 rifle is solid.
So the rod on number 6 is a type that wasn't adopted.

[Fred]

The recess cut into the wood for the thumb piece to settle into is cut 90 degrees into the 6 rifle from the cut in the 127 rifle.
Also, the thumb piece on the earlier rifle is thicker and is shaped differently and it doesn't come up as high upon opening the latch as on the 127 rifle.

[Fred]

There is no rod retaining spoon in the forearm of the number 6 rifle and no pin either. I've not taken the barrel out of the stock yet.

[Dick Hosmer]

You have really hit the jackpot - there are things there that no one has mentioned before. Do get with Al - he does not audit this site, AFGAIK.