# 16727 - Springfield M1865 ``First Allin`` Conversion Sights
4/19/2025
Rich Burlington NJ USA

Springfield M1865 st Allen Conversion How was the rear sight attached to the rifle I have read that it was soft soldered on m1861 sight All the single leaf and double leaf sights I have seen have an extension under the sight to fit the relief cut on the barrel. So how can the sight be soft on the Allen Conversion when the barrel does not a relief cut at least on the one I have What is the correct sight Single or double leaf Any information you can supply is appreciated.

Answer:
There are two good sources of info on the Model 1865 .58 rimfire ``1st Allin Conversion.`` The cheapest and most convenient is ``The .58- and .50 Caliber Rifles and Carbines of the Springfield Armory, 1865-1872`` By Richard A. Hosmer, a 278 page paperback. The definitive reference on ALL the trapdoor rifles is the two volume set by Albert Frasca ``The .45-70 Springfield`` two volumes now out of print and well worth the price of $250 or more for the set.

# 16716 - Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle- Replica Cartridge Source
4/12/2025
Bp Fort Lauderdale Fl

Do you know where I can purchase about 6 homemade paper cartridges for a French Chassepot

Answer:
Sir- I think there are YouTube (or similar) videos showing a few people firing Chasseport rifles, and perhaps one of those has instructions on how to make the cartridges. I do not know of a commercial source, but would not be surprised if someone somewhere is making them, either with blackpowder for actual use or some sort of inert substitute for display purposes.

Some years ago I owned a Chassepot and always thought it would be neat to have cartridges to display with it, but never found a source and was too lazy to try making any.

Good luck!

John Spangler

# 16829 - Old Stevens Shotgun
4/5/2025
Daniel Conroe Texas

its a small wood stock single shot break down like a double barrel. it is really old serial 7 I cannot find much info on it with web.

Answer:
Daniel - There is not allot that I can tell you. My guess is that your shotgun is one of a huge number of inexpensive guns made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and sold through various retail outlets. This type of firearm falls into the category of ``old guns`` that no one seems to be interested in as shooters, but collectors do not want them either. Generally these were basic inexpensive simple guns which sold at modest prices and still have little interest or value on market today. On the retail market they usually sell in the $25-125 range depending on condition and general appearance for use as a ``wall hanger`` over a fireplace.

You may try taking the shotgun to a gunshow and look for dealers who have similar items on their tables, maybe one of them will be able to recognize what you have. Good luck, Marc

# 16827 - Japanese Bayonet
4/1/2025
Eric

I have a Japanese bayonet with the names,rank,serial number and dates starting 2/23/43 and stopping around 1944 on the bato or sheathe. Has anyone ever seen or heard of something like this. I get what it is and im speechless,so many names. Thank you for your time Eric

Answer:
Eric- I have never seen a bayonet like that. But, that sounds very similar to a common practice of a ``short snort note`` where service members would add their name and date to a piece of currency as a souvenir.

That`s my guess, which may or may not be the right answer. John Spangler

# 16828 - Winchester Manufacture Dates
4/1/2025
Tanner Menifee California USA

Just wondering when my lever action winchester 94ae was made. I know its not anything super old but just want to know the manufacture date. Thank You

Answer:
Tanner - the best place to find Winchester manufacture dates is at the Winchester Collectors Association, you can find them at the following link:

https://winchestercollector.org/dates/

Hope that this helps, Marc