1860/1865 Spencer FACTORY SET trigger pull weight different for rifle/carbine?

[El Supremo]

Hello:

Two friends with decades of first-hand experience with original Civil War muskets and carbines recently shared that IF the maker, especially those doing "contract" arms knew the carbines were destined for mounted cavalry units, for safety, the CARBINE trigger pull weight could/would be a bit heavier than the usual " martial" pull of 8# - 9#.

The two experts could not recall written support for this, but said their handling of unaltered original carbines and rifle versions of Maynards and Spencers in the 1960's and 1970's indicated noticeably different pull weights. One cautioned that many NOW encountered have had trigger work or replaced springs that could obscure the original pull weight.   

This is the first I have heard of this. 
They said it was observed on at least Burnside, and Maynard/Spencer CARBINES vs rifles.

I suppose that if true, this would indicate that the makers had the skills to vary the pull weight in a production line setting.  Clearly they routinely set rifles and muskets at 8# - 9#, so THAT skill was already in place,

Does anyone know about this and please share your experience.  Many thanks.

El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[mgmradio]

Hi Kevin,
  I'd have to call BS on this one.
  Reasoning ; #1, if they ar talking untouched guns, then dried grease and dirt will increase trigger pull to different degrees.
#2 , of the 4 untouched Spencer's I have , 3 carbines and 1 riffle, the trigger pulleys were all over the place until cleaning. Anywhere from 8 - 15+ pounds. After clean up they were 7 - 10 pounds.
#3 , I have seen this with most of the Civil War era guns I have handled or owned. I have a 5th model Burnside carbine that had a trigger pull so hard that you'd have sworn it was on half cock until I cleaned it.
  I'd have to see something in writing from the era to believe this.
  Mike

[El Supremo]

Thanks, MGM:

Makes sense to me.  But these two guys have been down some long roads.
Neither have a reference; just shared what their fingers told them.

Have experienced same post cleaning improvements. 
Found AFTER CLEANING that just adding or removing moly lube from dry notch can change pull weight up to 1/2# in my tuned 3.5# pull musket locks.  Have had to remove lube w spray brake cleaner to restore N-SSA legal pull weight.

Am still hoping for a reference.  May post question  on N-SSA Forum. 
If hear more, will post here.

Kevin