1863 Springfield Musket Reproduction: Need advice!

[Niederlander]

This probably isn't the right place to ask, but I don't know where else to find out.  Does anyone know how close to the originals the Japanese replica 1863 Springfields are?  I'm asking because the replacement stocks are available and I could use one to build an 1870 Carbine if they're very close.  Thanks for any help I can get!

[Charles Isaac]

On all the Japanese models I know of, the tang screw hole is in the wrong place. Is this one a 2 piece stock? A lot of them were and I have a walnut forend tip for a trapdoor carbine-somewhere- with no ramrod hole if you want to sell the fore end to recoup some of your cost.

Also, it should be inletted for band springs as the Japanese copies were so called "Type II" M1863s with band spring retainers as opposed to the "Type I"  screwed "Badley" bands.

Good luck with this,
Charles

[Niederlander]

Charles,
     I'll have to talk to Dixie Gun Works as to whether they're one or two piece.  The reason I asked was because somewhere in the dim recesses of my mind I thought I'd read once that the tang screw hole was in the wrong place on the Japanese guns.  I'm glad you confirmed that.  Do you know how far off the hole is?  Is it far enough off I could just re-drill the hole, or would I have to plug the other one first?  Thanks!

[pony express]

I think I read somewhere(in Darksiders forum maybe?) someone had used a repro musket stock with a 50/70 trapdoor action.If I remember correctly, the repro barrell diameter was not the same, larger I think, so he had to glass bed it to take up the difference.

[Niederlander]

I had thought of that as a possibility.  From what I've seen so far, it sounds like the Japanese guns were much closer to the originals that the Italian ones are, and that the Italian barrels are much heavier.  It also sounds like the tang on the Japanese guns may be a little longer.  More research is in order!

[Niederlander]

I guess it doesn't matter now as Dixie says they're no longer available.  Always nice to know companies keep their websites up to date!

[pony express]

S&S has them, not exactly cheap at $275, though. Says they are reproduction, but doesn'
t say if for Italian or Japanese. Maybe they are just semi inletted.

[Niederlander]

I talked with Dunlap Reproductions, and they can make an 1870 Carbine stock at $275.  I was just hoping I could do it for quite a bit less money.  Such is life!

[Drydock]

Check ebay and Gunbroker.  Old guns get parted out on these all the time.  I get a lot of Krag parts that way.

[Niederlander]

I've been checking, but no luck so far.  It's not something I have to have done in a couple of weeks anyway, so I should have some time.