M1863 Bridesburg Needham Conversion

[muffinman67]

I, too, am fascinated with the Needham conversions. Jenks (Bridesburg) contract Rifle-Muskets were one of the few contractors to make the M1863 changes mid war and I have seen Needham conversions in both patterns (61 and 63) usually with the Rammer which relates to the pattern of the parent musket. The Finnians made two incursions into Canada, the first using the Bridesburg muskets in their muzzle loading state, the second with the alteration. There is researched information out there I've read which explains the interesting history of these weapons. The U's on the bands stand for "up", meaning they should be on the lock side of the stock, to fit the woods taper snugly.

 

[RSMorris]

me to, I never even heard the story until someone else posted about a Bridesburg they were looking at.

 

[RSMorris]

The u marking is "UP" towards the muzzle (especially for the screw on bands). Take a photo of the G

Now that I see it up close it is a C. The U is on all three bands.

 

[RSMorris]

Found this really interesting article about the Fenian Muskets and Needham Conversions

NEEDHAM CONVERSION MUSKETS

The maker of the unique Needham Patent American breech loading musket conversions has long been a mystery. They are well known for their use by the Irish-American Fenian Brotherhood in their aborted invasion of Canada in 1871, but who made them had remained unknown. Now, a newly discovered...

www.collectorsfirearms.com

 

[RSMorris]

Got this bullet today to display along with the Bridesburg Needham. From the Frankford Arsenal, centerfire using the Benet Priming system.
.58 caliber

 

[RSMorris]

Finally found and received the correct ramrod for the Bridesburg Needham Conversion
Working woith some Neverdull to try and match it better to the barrel

 

[Story]

I just wound up with an incomplete lock.

Rock Island has a decent write-up https://www.rockislandauction.com/riac-blog/fenian-brotherhood-rifle-a-tale-of-two-rebellions

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

That's a good write-up you linked to.

 

[Story]

That's a good write-up you linked to.

I thought that as well, considering some auction houses fail miserably at narratives. Perhaps the author of it had a love of the subject.

Tangentially, S&S is outtastock on everything https://www.ssfirearms.com/products.asp?cat=12

 

[JOHN42768]

In depth website https://pioneerarmsworks.com/