- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Location
- East Texas
This past Friday I attended the monthly flea market known as First Monday (because it occurs over the weekend containing the first Monday of each month) at Canton, Texas. Due to the "dreaded" virus and a general slow decline over the past decade, attendance was spotty and disappointing, maybe half what it would be normally this time of year. (Spring and Fall are usually the best months.) Nevertheless, I went to booths and stalls that I normally avoid where what should I spy in a case but these half-dozen appendages or rifle tools. I recognized most of these as being period and for percussion weapons - some are even marked. I was able to purchase the lot of them for the princely sum of $30!
I had no question about these two above because I already have a couple of the combination screwdrivers-nipple wrenches which were supposed to be standard issue for each soldier. The other one is a punch used in dismantling the U.S. M.1861 Springfield rifle - one blade is to remove the band springs from the stock and the other is for removing the tumbler from the lockplate in the lock.
However I'm at a loss as to exactly what this particular combination tool is for - I recognize it too as being period, since it's pictured in a North-South Trader book showing excavated relics; it's even marked. It reminds me of the Enfield tool but is obviously not the same; any identification would be appreciated! (Calling @johan_steele )
Likewise, this US marked combination nipple wrench-screwdriver blades are pictured in N-S Trader but I'd like to know what model it corresponds to.
The top appendage appears to be for a pistol, possibly a Colt 1860 Army; it has a small socket wrench for a nipple on one end and a tiny screwdriver bit on the other. (I already had the worm and ball-puller and included them in the photo because there was room.)
Unfortunately this particular piece appears to be for a Trapdoor Springfield, especially since its marked U. S. MOD 1879. (There were two of these but since it wasn't Civil War era I only bought one of them.) Can anyone explain what this is for?
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