Product Details
SPRINGFIELD ARMS, USA
A SCARCE .58 (RIMFIRE) BREECH-LOADING SERVICE-RIFLE, MODEL 'NEEDHAM'S PATENT 1861 MUSKET CONVERSION', no visible serial number,
circa 1867, with round 37in. barrel, block and blade fore-sight, rear-sight with one standing and two folding leaves, plain receiver with side-opening trapdoor held shut by the modified hammer-nose, bar action lock signed 'SPRINGFIELD' and stamped with an American eagle, the rear of lock dated '1861', walnut three-quarter stock, iron furniture, three iron barrel-bands and tulip-headed clearing rod (iron surfaces mildly cleaned with some patchy staining)
Other Notes: This unusual conversion was patented by Joseph and George H. Needham, London in May 1867. The majority of examples are found marked 'BRIDESBERG' after the machine works of Alfred Jenks & Son, Philadelphia. Springfield examples are extremely uncommon. The date on the lock is the model designation of the original musket
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Estimate £700-900