New Needham for the Collection

[RSMorris]

Bought this Springfield Needham Conversion dated 1862 with a cut stock. This one is different because one, it is a Springfield instead of a Bridesburg, and two, the cut is a straight cut under the rear band instead of the normal V cut under the middle band. The government, when they confiscated these from the Fenians they took out the firing pins. This one is also missing its firing pin. It was a Civil War Springfield as the two government cartouches still exist. Will post better pics once it arrives.
From research concerning the cut..... " A solution was to cut the fore end of the stocks under the middle barrel band on both M1861 and M1863 rifle muskets, usually with a V shaped cut so the guns could be disassembled and shipped in crates no longer than a barrel" The article goes on to say" Although most of these altered Needhams have a V cut, some have a straight cut, some are pegged others are not. The practice continued although the Fenian could not decide on a unanimous approach to the expediant."

 

[RSMorris]

I have resigned my position as the host of the Naval Forum. So if anyone wants it, go for it.

 

[scooter748driver]

i hate to hear that.

 

[RSMorris]

i hate to hear that.

I am moving away from this site, no one responds to my threads any longer so what's the use. Just waiting on a few personal messages to show up.

 

[scooter748driver]

Private messages or posts in the forums? its always seemed to me your posts get a lot of activity and I find them interesting and unique. I don't always post in them as I feel I sometimes can't contribute anything useful.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

The conversions of the muzzle loading rifle muskets into these Needham cartridge conversions would have been skilled work. But the cutting of the stocks (if we were looking at WWII arms, these would be called "duffel bag cuts" made so a long arm would fit into a returning soldiers duffel bag), would have been a pretty low skill project.
The first time these were shipped as muskets to caches at various places, they were obvious since they were the only item packed in long boxes 58 inches or more in length. Evidently, some were detected and seized. So, the shortening of the stocks so that the stocks and barrels could be separated and packed in shorter boxes and so avoid detection happened later.
You can just picture these arms in separate locations, with orders to make cut the stocks under the band and pack them in shorter boxes being handled differently by different workers.

 

[RSMorris]

The conversions of the muzzle loading rifle muskets into these Needham cartridge conversions would have been skilled work. But the cutting of the stocks (if we were looking at WWII arms, these would be called "duffel bag cuts" made so a long arm would fit into a returning soldiers duffel bag), would have been a pretty low skill project.
The first time these were shipped as muskets to caches at various places, they were obvious since they were the only item packed in long boxes 58 inches or more in length. Evidently, some were detected and seized. So, the shortening of the stocks so that the stocks and barrels could be separated and packed in shorter boxes and so avoid detection happened later.
You can just picture these arms in separate locations, with orders to make cut the stocks under the band and pack them in shorter boxes being handled differently by different workers.

I have done a ton of research on the Fenian raids and the guns/markings they use. Putting most of it on my website. Still have a ways to go. Have always read they cut a a few with a V under the middle barrel band. Have never found how many were cut, if any records were ever kept, I doubt it. Only one place I have read they tried different cuts attempting to find the best solution. I found the one I bought that had a straight cut under the rear band. The cut look old but I wasn't convinced it was legit. Then I found three others Fenian marked with the exact straight duffel cut under the rear band. So I am convinced now it is legit.

 

[RSMorris]

Private messages or posts in the forums? its always seemed to me your posts get a lot of activity and I find them interesting and unique. I don't always post in them as I feel I sometimes can't contribute anything useful.

Waiting on a couple of private messages from other members on various topics. And thank you.

 

[scooter748driver]

I wouldn't let lack of messages dissuade you. Lots of reasons why I'm sure. Hate to see such an active and interesting member as you leave.

 

[RSMorris]

I wouldn't let lack of messages dissuade you. Lots of reasons why I'm sure. Hate to see such an active and interesting member as you leave.

It's a bit like the moderator or owner of the site, I really don't know which he is. A forum host is a volunteer position. There are no benefits of any kind. You do it to be involved. When I sent him the notice I was resigning the forum host position, and thanking him for the opportunity, there was no hey, thanks for your time, no appreciate you helping out., there was nothing, nada, zilch, zero. нул, null, 零, nula, sufuri. Just the forum host banner vanishing and that was it. Some here have been cool, but if you are not part of the elite or click, well, you get the drift.

 

[scooter748driver]

I haven't experienced that. While I try to contribute helpful or positive information, I get much more that I give. Hopefully you have too. I'd say stick around, there's good people and information here.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I wouldn't want to speak of anyone other than myself, but would guess that older civil war buffs might be absent minded, and forget to complete a task they wanted to do (such as express gratitude), and they also might tend to be someone less skilled in the social graces and so a bit tone deaf when it comes to interactions. When I read your comment, I had an image of myself as Homer Simpson, hitting the side of my head with open palm and say "Doh!" as I remembered that I forgot something, such as to say "Thanks!"
I once was replaced as a volunteer in a group (a peaceful mutual decision, I assure you), and I was the recipient of a wonderful showing of appreciation - and I still think of that fondly, and I still think that it would never have occurred to me to do things that way!! I would have just said "can I help you carry your stuff to the car so you can leave?"
That's me showing a low "Emotional Intelligence Quotient"