Patent Breech Alteration
In 1862 the Chief of Ordnance thru Frankfort Arsenal contracted for the alteration of flintlock muskets to percussion system. These were distributed
to various gunmakers & machinests in and around the Philadelphia area . Except for H Leman all of these arms were altered using the same style patent breech
alteration as follows: 1 1/8' or 1 3/16" long steel patent breech with integral flat-faced bolster like that of the Model 1842 musket. All took similar styled Model 1842
hammers and the few that were rifled took ther rear sight adopted for the rifle musket in 1858. Only Hewes & Philips of Newark, N.J. marked its alterations stamping
"H &P" logo on the face of the bolster and the date of the alteration on the top of the breechpiece. Each contractor stamped various reassembly number/ letter
combinations on all the altered parts.
| Contractor |
Dates of Conversion |
Number Converted |
| Various |
1862-63 |
33,508 |
| Patent Breech Alteration |
|