Only the stocks and barrels had to be modified. At this time, and for many years after the War, getting funds for new ordnance projects was a major problem.ĥ,000 of Mr.Allin's rifles were made and given the nickname 'First Allin.' The gun design was based on using Model 1861 muskets for its construction. Also, it could be inexpensively assembled using many parts from CW muskets.

Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield, was selected for its simplicity. A number of private and commercial arms were received along with several submitted by Springfield armorers.Īfter a considerable amount of prototype testing, the breechloader submitted by Erskine S. To fulfill this request, the Ordnance Department sent requests for prototype arms to all the major arms manufacturers in the world and to anyone who would like to submit a test gun for trial. The Civil War was drawing to a close, but far from over, when the War Department requested that the Ordnance Department develop a breech loading rifle for the military. This is the Description of the Model 1865 given at Model 1865 Rifle I also noticed the firing pin is missing, as is the breech block locking lever. Upon measuring it, the bore is exactly 9/16ths of an inch in diameter (.58 cal?) Inspection of the chamber reveals there is a definite raised step going into the chamber however you would need this lip for a cartridge round to keep it from sliding up into the bore. As I said, the bore is slightly larger than. A close up pic of the date stamp shows it is definitely an 1865. How about a closeup with the breechblock open so we can be sure.Ĭertainly someone else can chip in here - I sold my examples nearly 20 years ago and I am a bit fuzzy on all of the details.Ĭuriouser and Curiouser.

If the 1865 date is on the sideplate, it is a conversion for sure. All of these were converted also from earlier muskets. Yours looks like an M1868 - 2 bands with a separate receiver and a sleeved barrel.

'66's were similar, but with a simpler breechblock and a barrel sleeved down to. Also, I think all '65's had 2 3 barrel bands. There is a noticible set of teeth or cogs showing when the breechblock is opened. I have a suspicion that you do not have an M1865.

Springfield 1898 serial numbers