Resource to help ID misc milsurp parts?

I collect a broad range of milsurps and am helping out a local shop that just got in a large consignment of guns and a pretty big mixed-bag of parts (mostly post-CW era and some WWI/II) that need sorting and ID'ing. Most of the stuff is separated fairly well by gun type, but there's still a lot of loose parts with no ID. How do you guys go about IDing parts? Specifically looking for dimensional drawings or specs on the common things like screws, barrel bands, swivels, perc hammers, etc that all look closely alike. I look at the online stores like Liberty Tree or Simpsons and marvel at the descriptions they have and wonder if they don't have an army of researchers...

Thanks for any help you can provide...

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Originally Posted by moleary

things like screws

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A screw you can measure the diameter of the thread and try to identify what thread it is as a possible clue to what it's from. If you can figure out the thread size but not what they are from, perhaps, separate the screws by thread size and, possibly, also by length.

Go to the Numrich website at gunpartscorp.com. They have exploded diagrams of virtually every firearm made in the last century and a half.

Yeah, those are the old standby for sure...but they are sketches and not dimensional drawings. Not good enough to differentiate between say a Krag barrel band and a Trapdoor for example.

Does anyone think posting pictures might help?

Best Sub Forum to Post them in..
Maybe Gunsmithing for Old Milsurps or The Restorer's Corner.... Other ? :dunno:

Thoughts?

Some sample pix...

With screw threads you can often make an educated guess just by looking at the thread once you get a little experience. For example, the middle pic, all of the screws in this pic appear to have a relatively coarse thread apart from the screw on the far right of the pic which is slightly finer but still relatively coarse. You haven't told us the diameter of the screws but they sort of look like they may be 1/4" dia. Assuming that they are 1/4" dia. I would be checking them against the common coarse 1/4" dia screw threads such as 1/4" B.S.W. and U.N.C.

1st picture...... Are those called Bridles?

Springfield Bridle-S318

1864 US Springfield Allin Conversion Lock Plate Trapdoor | Down East Antiques

2nd picture... The 4 pan head screws just above the ruler might be for the square lug on the Tumblers in picture number 4. ** See 1st link below:

Picture 4:
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/...ingfield+Rifle

Springfield 45-70 Tumbler, Complete 2 Notch, Model 1873-1889 The Regimental Quartermaster

Original Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Two (2) Notch Tumbler Cut for Fly | eBay

3rd picture of screws has some in it that look very much like this 1st link, called the Sear Spring screw:
Product Detail
Product Detail

The 5th / Last picture a assortment of Sears. Links are a variety.

1816 Springfield Sear-

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/...pringfield+457

Original Snider Scear (ML2)

I found listings saying these Rear Sight Screws were used on Springfield: 1868-1870 / .50-70 Trap Doors, 1855-1864 / .58 Cal Musket, possibly others to include Chiappa's 61 Springfield (Special?)

Picture is from this link: Rear Sight Base Screw - 61 Springfield | Comer's Gunworks LLC | Sikeston | 63801

https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/AUc...lQQeiKRkJmSZYZ

For Rear Sight bases like this:
https://www.ssfirearms.com/prodimages/giant/w22034.jpg

Hope every little bit helps.... :dunno:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by painter777

I found listings saying these Rear Sight Screws were used on Springfield: 1868-1870 / .50-70 Trap Doors, 1855-1864 / .58 Cal Musket, possibly others to include Chiappa's 61 Springfield (Special?)

Picture is from this link: Rear Sight Base Screw - 61 Springfield | Comer's Gunworks LLC | Sikeston | 63801

https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/AUc...lQQeiKRkJmSZYZ

For Rear Sight bases like this:
https://www.ssfirearms.com/prodimages/giant/w22034.jpg

Hope every little bit helps.... :dunno:

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Painter, many thanks for the references! They are a great resource going forward!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by painter777

Maybe Gunsmithing for Old Milsurps or The Restorer's Corner

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I still think it would be best to post future pics in one of the Forums above as a new topic. Less likely to get buried over and more likely to be seen by those more knowledgeable.
Wanted to add a few of the screws looked to match 'Nose Cap' screws, but I forgot the model. I've been hoping I was helping a little... Not just preaching to the Choir..... :beerchug:

Not sure about the Choir, but you've been helping me a ton!! Now I've got a ton of Trapdoor parts to sort through as well!