1861 Springfield lockplate

[gemmer]

I have a '61 dated lockplate. I'm fairly sure is original, but it has case coloring. Is that possible? My understanding is that case coloring started with the 1863. The eagle stamping is correct for a '61. Has anyone come across a plate like this. I want to put it up for sale but I obviously don't want to false advertise it.

[Ben Nevlezer]

I have an original '61 lock and 2 '62 locks that show color case hardening on both the lockplates and hammers. I may be interested in yours. Please Pm me when you decide to list it for sale.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

Does the inside have inspector markings? like a number or letter / or both ? Originals have them.

[gemmer]

Does the inside have inspector markings? like a number or letter / or both ? Originals have them.
All the locks on my original muskets have a stamp on the main spring bolster. I can't make one out on this plate. That raised another question for me. But, looking at a few repro plates on line, the seem to have the same eagle stamp as a '63 plate which I guess makes sense since they are interchangeable. I guess the best thing to do is post a couple of pics.

[gemmer]

1037110372

[gemmer]

Opinions welcome.

[Ben Nevlezer]

I too would love to hear more about this from the experts on here. The eagle on your plate appears to be slightly larger than the one on my '61 plate. Yours looks to match the eagles on my '62 plates which I know for sure are original. I'm not having any luck finding any reference to the eagles or case coloring in any of my books.