Model 1861 Ramrods- Contractor Differences?

[jcoll95]

Yet another Model 1861 rifle has entered my collection and with it are questions about the ramrod. I've begun to worry if there's a fake in my midst. I have an 1862 dated Springfield and an 1864 Trenton. The dimensions of the ramrods are different. For simplicity's sake I'll refer to the springfield as the "bright" rod and the Trenton as the "dark" rod.

The diameter of the dark rod is 0.220" while the bright rod is ~0.185-.0190"

The swells differ in that the dark one starts further down the rod, is longer and has a larger diameter. I should add that both rods interchange in each other's stocks.

Another look. Less differences as you go down the rods

Finally, the threaded ends are very different. The bright rod's threaded section is longer and terminates in a square point while the dark rod terminates in a dome. The thread pitch appears to be the same for each.

Are there records of the ramrod being thickened as the war went on? Does anyone have an original M1855 rod to compare? Could the thin one be a fake? Everything else on each rifle appears to be original to the rifles.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Can you add photos showing end views of the head parts of these?

 

[Bugattimiller]

The thread on the bright one looks like it has been hand cut and the die was not square. Done by an amateur with hand held die stock and not starting the thread square, easily done with small diameter rods. It can be seen that the thread is deep on one side but very shallow on the opposite side. I've cocked it up many times when making brake rods for vintage car mechanical brake systems. I think this points to reproduction.