Interesting Needham Conversion Rifle for the Fenian Raid 1870

The Needham breech conversion is an interesting breech conversion of a military muzzle loading rifle that is seldom seen in the UK as the conversion was carried out to supply the Fenian Raid.
The rifle features a round 40” barrel in .58 calibre centre fire with front bayonet lug sight and rear single leaf sight. The breech has been altered with the Needham breech loading conversion, which opens from the right side when hammer is cocked. The lock is altered with front portion cut away to fit the conversion. The lock is marked “BRIDESBURG” with a US eagle motif forward of hammer and a crisp “1862” on the tail of the lock. The rifle features standard military steel furniture, sling swivels and original steel tulip ramrod. The butt plate tang is sharply stamped “US”. The attractive looking walnut stock has the usual dings associated with a rifle of this age but no major problems however I will point out that it has been cleaned at some time in then past. Complete with its “US” marked bayonet with triangular 18” blade. The bayonet is in good overall condition. The bayonet has also been cleaned and has scattered areas of dark spots and light pitting on blade. The rifle has toned down to an overall mellow grey finish with very light pitting but still very attractive. The rifle is accompanied by an original and rare 58 calibre cartridge that can be deactivated.
A total of 5,020 muskets were converted in Trenton, New Jersey by Needham, an English company, for use by the Fenians for a planned Canadian invasion. Needham conversion rifles were involved with this interesting history involving the Fenians an Irish-American secret society. Immediately after the Civil War, the Fenian Brotherhood plotted to invade Canada to pressure England to grant independence to Ireland.
The Fenians were an Irish-American group who wanted to put pressure on Great Britain to free Ireland. They conspired to mount an invasion of Canada and occupy some territory in order to force concessions. The Fenians purchased surplus Bridesburg rifle-muskets and sent 600 armed men across the Canadian border from New York in June 1866. The small force briefly captured Fort Erie, but was readily overcome, and the men were sent back to the U.S. Surprisingly, the Fenians were sufficiently well connected politically that they were able to recover their guns along with their freedom to try again.
However, by the time the Fenians were considering a second foray across the border in 1867, the British troops in Canada were equipped with Snider conversions of the P1853 Enfield rifle, and the Fenians knew they would be seriously outmatched with their original muzzle-loading Bridesburg muskets. Reportedly, supporters of the Fenians rented space in a Trenton, New Jersey shop, where hired English gunsmiths performed the Needham conversions on 5020 rifle-muskets. The Fenians launched a second invasion in May of 1870 across the Vermont border. The Canadians were forewarned and the Fenians soundly defeated. This time, the guns used in the attack were confiscated by the U.S. Army, along with additional guns that had been stored in Trenton. The army subsequently auctioned off the guns, a large number of which were purchased by the surplus dealer Schuyler, Hartley & Graham. These guns account for the majority of the Needham conversion rifles which occasionally show up for sale.
In transit available for delivery next month.
This is an attractive example of a very interesting rifle complete with bayonet.

Code: 50434