1865 Carbine salvage project with Photos

[Cavalrist]

Well maybe. A friend gave me an m1865 carbine as a wall hanger, but I'm thinking it might just be salvageable as a shooter. SN is 10740. The bore is completely rusted out, and the action looks like it was used as a hammer. Very beat up. But the action works. I'm thinking about doing a center fire conversion and either relining the barrel or replacing it with a used original or new barrel.

Your thoughts and suggestions will be much appreciated.
Cavalrist








                                Photos Posted by Two Flints

[6thMissp]

Hi mine has serial 10707. If you decide to salvage, good luck . If not I might be interested in parts if they're usable

[Cavalrist]

Thanks 6thMissp, I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully I can find the parts to fix it.

[Major 2]

A very worthy project, if it's any consolation I have seen worse brought back.
  Looking forward to the progress, and completion.   
 

[Cavalrist]

Thanks for the encouragement! I completely disassembled the gun and took the barrel and receiver to a gunsmith buddy. His recommendation was to hunt for a replacement barrel as my bore is gone and there is a large gouge in the chamber wall. So I'm on the the hunt for a barrel. S&S has theirs on backorder and I'm on their mailing list if they come in stock again. Anyone have another source?
I also contacted Chiappa, Romano and Taylor to see if they have replacement barrels.
Chiappa has a 56-50 barrel for $283, which is not bad. So I've asked them if their barrel will fit my original receiver.
Like many here, I'm on the waiting list for brass.
The receiver will get a sonic bath cleaning and then I'll post pictures of the damage to the hole for the lever screw.
Thanks again
Cavalrist

[Arizona Trooper]

Bobby Hoyt in Fairfield, Pa. can sleeve that barrel and rechamber it for 56-56 or 56-50 for the same price as a replacement, or maybe less. I wouldn't give up on the original barrel unless he says it's got other problems.

[Cavalrist]

Thanks Trooper, do you have his contact information?
Thanks

[Story]

Thanks Trooper, do you have his contact information?
Thanks

Contact information in upper right corner
https://www.2ndamendgunsmith.com/in/hoyt/

[Cavalrist]

Thanks Story. I've contacted him and await a response. 

[El Supremo]

Hello:

With respect; that Internet link does not reach Bobby Hoyt in Fairfield, PA.
Please try Frieschutz Gun Shop.
Bobby knows Spencers.
Very respectfully,
Kevin Tinny

[Cavalrist]

Thanks Kevin. I found his contact info and I'll call him later today.
I appreciate the support from you fellas!
Alan

[El Supremo]

Hello, Cavalrist:

The missing part of the chamber at 9:00 relative in yours is common in models with the long blade extractor. It is often called a " wedge".

With black powder, the pressures are usually not enough to cause a brass walled case to expand into that area or push it away. 

It can be a challenge to cut a chamber without that paper thin spot disappearing. 
I have a few with the wedge and they function well. 

All the best,
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Cavalrist]

El Supremo
I think this may be something abnormal. I hope the picture shows it clearly enough. It looks like someone took a center punch to it. I hope it is not deep enough to prevent getting it sleeved. Does that make sense to you?

Two Flints, I hope the attached photo isn't too big. Please fix it if necessary.

I tried to call Robert Hoyt at Freitschutz but no answer. I'll try again later today.

Cavalrist
Alan McFadden

[El Supremo]

Thanks for the photo:

I wonder if the punch mark was an attempt to prevent chambering a cartridge.

The barrel appears inverted because the blade extractor slot should be on the left side.
Anyway, there is both a punch mark in the chamber wall and a missing wedge aIongside the blade extractor cut.

Notice what appear to be square threads on the barrel.

Bobby should be able to line it. 

All the best.
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Cavalrist]

I agree, I think someone tried to demil it.
It is upside down, as I had to hold the barrel between my knees, holding the flashlight with my left hand and the camera with my right to get the punch mark to show.
Took me 4 tries to get a decent photo. 
Now I see the wedge you mentioned. Glad to hear it isn't a problem.
Still no answer at the Freischutz number.

[Arizona Trooper]

Sorry for the slow reply, been away from the computer. Call Bobby in the morning, between 9 and 11 works best. He's in the shop after than and usually won't answer because he's running a machine. 

[Cavalrist]

Arizona, thanks for the info, I'll call him tomorrow.
Take care
Alan

[Cavalrist]

Great news! Barrel will go into the mail today. Very affordable, less than a replacement. Thanks for all your help fellas. Now to clean up the stocks......
Best regards friends
Alan

[El Supremo]

Hello, Calvarist:

I sent Larry Romano, a very experienced Spencer gunsmith, a copy of your chamber photo.

He said it looks like someone tried to disable it.

Please post a close-up photo of the breech after Bobby Hoyt lines it.  Thanks.

El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Cavalrist]

El Supremo, will do. Might be a while till Bobby gets to it, but I'll post a photo as soon as I get it back.
Best
Alan