I have an original 1863 Springfield rifle musket. The bbl and lock are dated 1864.
The ramrod is original, I think: tulip head, no swell in the stem. My ramrod has its end machine threaded, about 1/4" long, male, as if to attach a cleaning tip or a ball puller. It seems that later 1863 ramrods were like that. Earlier 1863 ramrods seem to have a ball-puller screw permanently mounted on the end, with a removable brass cover over the screw to keep from stabbing yourself when ramming a ball into the bbl.
I'm seeking more info about this design change - is my info correct? When and why the change?
The ramrod is original, I think: tulip head, no swell in the stem. My ramrod has its end machine threaded, about 1/4" long, male, as if to attach a cleaning tip or a ball puller. It seems that later 1863 ramrods were like that. Earlier 1863 ramrods seem to have a ball-puller screw permanently mounted on the end, with a removable brass cover over the screw to keep from stabbing yourself when ramming a ball into the bbl.
I'm seeking more info about this design change - is my info correct? When and why the change?
