What are these numbers on my 1869 rifle?

[Texcl2]

What is the serial number series for yours? Mine is in the 16k range.

[John S.]

Agree on assembly numbers. On "assembly number" 43 above, it appears that the barrel and possibly the receiver have been peened somewhat, presumably to tighten the interference between barrel and receiver for correct alignment. Not likely an arsenal procedure, but very likely the sort of thing the Bannerman and the ilk would do to turn junk into merchandise.
Of course, that appearance may just be a photo anomaly and my comment totally irrelevant.

[carlsr]

What is the serial number series for yours? Mine is in the 16k range.

It is in the 28000 range.

[carlsr]

Agree on assembly numbers. On "assembly number" 43 above, it appears that the barrel and possibly the receiver have been peened somewhat, presumably to tighten the interference between barrel and receiver for correct alignment. Not likely an arsenal procedure, but very likely the sort of thing the Bannerman and the ilk would do to turn junk into merchandise.
Of course, that appearance may just be a photo anomaly and my comment totally irrelevant.

You are correct John, it does appear to have been peened slightly.
Nothing about the rifle strikes me as Bannerman or the ilk as it is a 100% correct and a beautiful rifle, definitely not JUNK.
Witness marks are perfectly aligned and both barrel and receiver serial numbers match and are both in the correct font.
Here are a couple pics

IMG_20240323_192144.jpg (153.92 KiB) Viewed 1373 times

IMG_20240323_191840.jpg (176.6 KiB) Viewed 1373 times

I have several 50/70 rifles and I must say that this one has the nicest stock of them all. The cartouches are light, other than the L proof and it doesn't look like it's been sanded or refinished.

[Texcl2]

I’m going to have to take apart my 1868/70 and see if it has these numbers, I don’t recall seeing them but might not have noticed. My rifle is matching too and looks all correct with the barrel index lines perfectly lined up too, so doubt it was rebarreled or anything. My gun was apparently very lightly used as the bluing on the action, lock ect are near 100%, but the bright parts have rust and dried oil on them, I’m not sure how much I want to clean off, I can see someone cleaning the bright parts since they didn’t have a finish in the first place but I sort of like the patina on old guns and personally only get the dirt and grime off my guns and call it good.the dried oil on the 1868/69 is pretty tough stuff and haven’t made a ton of progress with it. It’s on the stock too.

[carlsr]

I, myself, like to clean the bright metal parts as that's how they were intended to be. I do leave what I call age spots, dark color spots hear and there.
I found what's called a Frontier metal cleaner pad Big 45. It's kinda like steel wool but much heavier. Says on the package will not harm the finest blued surfaces I've not used it on blued parts nor will I just to be safe.
I put a coating of Kroil Penetrant on the bright parts and let it sit a bit.
Then I use the frontier pad to scrub the dirt and rust from the parts, it works rather well.
I've cleaned several guns and the pads do not scratch.
For the wood sometimes I use Murphys oil soap. I mainly used it on my Enfields and only on one of my TD's but it also works well to remove dirt and grime.

[Fred Gaarde]

Thank you for that information!

[carlsr]

Thank you for that information!

Your welcome