Quote Originally Posted by Kragrifle View Post
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/cg....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.