A Small Side Project

[PvtGreg]

Hi All,

In prep for Chickamauga next week I'm attempting to turn a Burnsides carbine tool into a Spencer Rifle Tool.

The Burnsides Tool:


The Spencer Tool:


I'll post the result when done.

PvtGreg

[Two Flints]

Pvt Greg,

I read an online For Sale Ad for the Burnside Tool going for $250.00, I think I would have gone this route . . . https://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=AP346 rather than modify a Burnside tool

Post photos on how it turns out 

Two Flints

[PvtGreg]

The tool I have is a low quality repro $10 special.  Bluing it now.

[PvtGreg]

OK - here's the result:

[Two Flints]

Pvy Greg,

Nice job!  Looks good, and will it be functionable? or just for appearance sake . . . just hope it won't "bugger up" any screws!  That would be my concern.

Two Flints

[ndnchf]

Nice job on the tool.  I'd like to have an original to go with my rifle, but they seem to be scarce as hen's teeth.  As long as the blades are ground to match the intended screw heads, a repro tool should not damage the screws of an original Spencer. Most repro tools are not made of hardened steel like the originals.  As an ordnance sergeant in a reenacting unit, I've had a lot of experience with cheap repro musket tools.  They can be case hardened a little using Kasenite, but this only hardens the surface and they can still twist on a tight screw. 

As a side note, the only quality made reproduction musket tool on the market today that I know if is made by N.J. Sekela.   

http://www.njsekela.com/OSCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=513&osCsid=jdhieod3l345sua64vjaum11o1

I have one of these tools as well as a bag full of the cheaper, soft tools.  It is indeed top quality and is strong enough to use as intended.

[PvtGreg]

The blades fit snug, BUT I will have to do some hardening.  Going to fire up my grill/poor-mans furnace and harden it the "hard" way.

My furnace is quite a contraption - rigged bellows and all!

[Sean Thornton]

I dug out my original rifle tool for Chickamauga. DGW had originals at one time for about $45
Here is DGW  http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=1195

[ndnchf]

I see that College Hill Arsenal is selling (marked as sold) a M1860 Spencer tool.

http://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=1277&cat=11&page=1

They comment that "This is the larger, Civil War era tool and not the smaller tool issued later during the Indian War".  This begs the question: What is the difference between the war time tool and the post war tool?   Does anyone have both or a photo of both?  Which one does Dixie Gun Works sell? 

[Sean Thornton]

I see that College Hill Arsenal is selling (marked as sold) a M1860 Spencer tool.

http://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=1277&cat=11&page=1

They comment that "This is the larger, Civil War era tool and not the smaller tool issued later during the Indian War".  This begs the question: What is the difference between the war time tool and the post war tool?   Does anyone have both or a photo of both?  Which one does Dixie Gun Works sell? 

The smaller tool is the carbine tool and both are picture in the Marcot Spencer Book. I believe that DGW is selling the Rifle tool judging from the picture and the desciption which looks identical to my rifle tool.

[ndnchf]

Thanks Sean. I don't have Marcot's book yet. I may just have to spring for a tool from Dixie to go with M1871 rifle.

[PvtGreg]

The final result after hardening:

[Two Flints]

Nice job, Pvt Greg.  Will the blade point keep its shape did you harden it enough!

Two Flints

[PvtGreg]

The points are good - I spent the week end working on a project with recalcitrant screws and warping.