Here as something of interest are two early 1868?s to compare with each other. One has a blued trigger, plate & guard, both barrel bands and retaining springs, nose cap and rear sight. Its barrel was polished bright as was the rod.
The other 1868 has its furniture polished. It’s configuration became the final design of the Model 1868.
Their rear sights are different as well.
The rifle with the blued furniture is an early one that also has a different breech block and firing pin that were a design that was proposed for the final model, but along with the rear sight and blued furniture weren?t accepted for final production.
The end of the blued rifle?s cleaning rod is cupped like the 1866 rods were. That rifle also has the inspector?s cartouche behind the trigger plate who also inspected 1866?s.
Anyway, I thought it was of some interest and wanted to share it!