Stock Cut Needham

[RSMorris]

In most of my Fenain research I keep reading about the Fenians cutting a V cut under the middle barrel band to pack them in smaller cases. there are numerous images on the net and in articles showing this cut.

Here is one description"
" 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."

I have found a Springfield Needham with a straight cut but it is under the rear barrel band. It probably is legit but wanted to get some opinions. There are no IN marks on it but it is my understanding all the Needhams were for the Fenians. The cut looks old but I have read these cuts were under the middle barrel band.

 

[RSMorris]

wow, just wow.

 

[Story]

I have found a Springfield Needham with a straight cut but it is under the rear barrel band. It probably is legit but wanted to get some opinions. There are no IN marks on it but it is my understanding all the Needhams were for the Fenians. The cut looks old but I have read these cuts were under the middle barrel band.

NO, CONNOR! I SAID MIDDLE! *THIS* IS THE MIDDLE <resounding headslap>

- from Story's Unrecorded but Most Likely Pages of History​

 

[RSMorris]

NO, CONNOR! I SAID MIDDLE! *THIS* IS THE MIDDLE <resounding headslap>

- from Story's Unrecorded but Most Likely Pages of History​

I guess it could be a mistake. But I hate to pay that kind of money if the Fenians didn't even make this cut.

 

[yulzari]

I had the opportunity once to make use of a cut stock Enfield. No matter how tight the bands, the fore end just walked off the barrel forwards at every shot.

These Needhams suggest to me that the users rarely ever fired their weapons. Had they done so they would have tried ways to fix the stock parts to each other. Perhaps the pegged examples are to do this but simple glued pegs are only going to be a short term fix. The forces are just too large for such a joint to hold permanently. What it all points to is the Fenians being unable to arrange to train their people in any meaningful way or the issue would have been recognised and (hopefully, for them) fixed. Are there any examples of their Needhams with the cut properly fixed?

 

[RSMorris]

I had the opportunity once to make use of a cut stock Enfield. No matter how tight the bands, the fore end just walked off the barrel forwards at every shot.

These Needhams suggest to me that the users rarely ever fired their weapons. Had they done so they would have tried ways to fix the stock parts to each other. Perhaps the pegged examples are to do this but simple glued pegs are only going to be a short term fix. The forces are just too large for such a joint to hold permanently. What it all points to is the Fenians being unable to arrange to train their people in any meaningful way or the issue would have been recognised and (hopefully, for them) fixed. Are there any examples of their Needhams with the cut properly fixed?

Some of these Needhams were cut for the 1870 raids. I don't think they were even actually used in any great numbers. The ones that were found on the battlefield seemed to be suffering from casings hanging up in the breech because of problems with the extractors. My interest in them is not the shooting but the historical. I have only seen examples with the V cut and possibly now a straight cut.

 

[Story]

I guess it could be a mistake. But I hate to pay that kind of money if the Fenians didn't even make this cut.

Read what I wrote again - I'm saying the Fenians did do it and that mistakes happen.

 

[RSMorris]

Read what I wrote again - I'm saying the Fenians did do it and that mistakes happen.

What you wrote could be taken either way. But thank you for answering. Still odd it is under the rear band and not the middle like all others.

 

[Story]

What you wrote could be taken either way. But thank you for answering. Still odd it is under the rear band and not the middle like all others.

Guess the humor flew past. I'll endevour to be clearerer in the future.

 

[RSMorris]

Guess the humor flew past. I'll endevour to be clearerer in the future.

I said, yes I guess it could have been a mistake. I guess you didn't read that part. Why so hostile? We are just talking. jeezzz

 

[RSMorris]

I bought it, so mistake or not its mine.