Restoring a 1864 Springfield

[bruce3163]

I am starting restoration on an 1864 Springfield. And have some questions for the group.
I don't have a complete rifle for reference so I need some measurements for installing the new forearm.
Could someone give me the distance from the back of the rear band to the back of the middle band.
Also for reference the distance from the front of end cap to the end of barrel.
I could also use a photo and reference to where the ramrod retainer spring is mounted.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

What you have is a US Model 1861 rifle musket dated 1864. The best source for a replacement stock or forearm is Dunlap Woodcrafts in Chantilly, Virginia. Check their Military Stocks section at:
https://dunlapwoodcrafts.com/military-stocks
They are a first quality supplier and reasonably priced. For questions, call them and discuss what you need.

Of course you will also need a middle band and front band, two band springs and nose cap available from other sources.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

nice project!

 

[bruce3163]

What you have is a US Model 1861 rifle musket dated 1864. The best source for a replacement stock or forearm is Dunlap Woodcrafts in Chantilly, Virginia. Check their Military Stocks section at:
https://dunlapwoodcrafts.com/military-stocks
They are a first quality supplier and reasonably priced. For questions, call them and discuss what you need.

Of course you will also need a middle band and front band, two band springs and nose cap available from other sources.

I have all needed parts as I stated.
I have requested some measurements from the group to properly install the new parts.
Please read my post.

 

[Mowich]

Your gun really looks like an old Bannerman's sporterized musket. Bannerman bought tons of surplus weapons.
a lot of the civil war muskets Bannerman cut down and made cheap shot guns out of them.
Is your barrel full length still? 40".

 

[bruce3163]

Your gun really looks like an old Bannerman's sporterized musket. Bannerman bought tons of surplus weapons.
a lot of the civil war muskets Bannerman cut down and made cheap shot guns out of them.
Is your barrel full length still? 40".

Yes still full length

 

[Keyhole]

I am starting restoration on an 1864 Springfield. And have some questions for the group.
I don't have a complete rifle for reference so I need some measurements for installing the new forearm.
Could someone give me the distance from the back of the rear band to the back of the middle band.
Also for reference the distance from the front of end cap to the end of barrel.
I could also use a photo and reference to where the ramrod retainer spring is mounted.
View attachment 376596

Hello sir, I’m happy to help. My rifle is an 1861 type 2 with a lock dated 1864. She’s all original except for the rear sight.

Barrel band…….. 11-5/8”
Nose to barrel….. 2-7/8”

My rifle has a wooden bump-out (“bulge”)….reinforced by the back of the nosecap (see pics). The bulge pushes down on the ramrod to wedge it in. If there is a ramrod spring inside the stock I haven’t seen it.

 

[hawkeye2]

There is no ramrod retention spring in a 61. The rammer is retained by the swell near the tulip fitting into a slightly enlarged portion of the ramrod channel which is clearly visible in the photos of the nose cap above. The correct way to measure the bands is from the breech end of the barrel, the intersection of the tang and barrel. These dimension are from that intersection to the back (breech) side of the bands.
Front: 33.10"
Middle 21.50"
Rear: 9.87"
I don't see any sights in your photo but reproduction front & rear are available. It's likely the dovetail and screw hole for the rear sight have been filled and sometimes it's hard to find them if it was a good job. The sight locations are measured from the back of the barrel (as above) to the back side of the front sight and to the back side of the rear sight base.
Rear sight: 2.75"
Sight radius: 30.56"
The overall stock length which I assume is measured parallel with the bore and without metal fitted is 55"

 

[bruce3163]

There is no ramrod retention spring in a 61. The rammer is retained by the swell near the tulip fitting into a slightly enlarged portion of the ramrod channel which is clearly visible in the photos of the nose cap above. The correct way to measure the bands is from the breech end of the barrel, the intersection of the tang and barrel. These dimension are from that intersection to the back (breech) side of the bands.
Front: 33.10"
Middle 21.50"
Rear: 9.87"
I don't see any sights in your photo but reproduction front & rear are available. It's likely the dovetail and screw hole for the rear sight have been filled and sometimes it's hard to find them if it was a good job. The sight locations are measured from the back of the barrel (as above) to the back side of the front sight and to the back side of the rear sight base.
Rear sight: 2.75"
Sight radius: 30.56"
The overall stock length which I assume is measured parallel with the bore and without metal fitted is 55"

I have the front sight. The rear has a dovetail. I was wondering if the rear sight was attached with insert with a threaded hole.
The repo sight I purchased has part of the bottom flat and part rounded.
Is that normal.
Thank you for the dimensions. And info.

 

[hawkeye2]

Quite normal and you'll notice the dovetail in the barrel had one vertical side and one dovetailed with a matching dovetail in the barrel. There is a special screw (10-32) to hold the sight in place, looks like you have it.

 

[wiscoaster]

I am starting restoration on an 1864 Springfield.....

nice project!

Restoring multilated and sporterized original vintage firearms to their original issued configuration gets my full support. Best wishes and good luck with your project. Be sure to post pics of final result.