Greetings--
Here are a few photos of the Lane extractor found in some late-model
(M1865?, M1867, and New Model) Spencers compared to the standard
extractor found in the M1860. I'll send the photos in two emails to Two
Flints who will post them along with supporting text.
Photo Spncrs-1: Top is an M1867, bottom is an M1860. The slot at
the front of the lower breechblock of the M1867 is a quick way to ID
a Lane extractor rifle. Note the M1860 has no slot.
Photo Spncrs-2: Top is the M1860 breechblock assembly and lever, the
bottom is from an M1867. The M1860 blade extractor is tall and fits
in a V-shaped cutout in the lower breechblock. The M1867 with Lane
extractor has a prominent, centrally mounted tooth, but no extractor blade.
Photo Spncrs-3: Extractor systems disassembled. M1867/Lane
extractor on left, M1860/standard extractor on right.
Photo Spncrs-4: Top view with action open--M1860 on the left and
M1867 on right. Compare the size/depth of the extractor notches at
the bottom of the chamber. Also note the narrow cartridge guide on
the M1860 compared to the wide cartridge guide with Spencer cutoff on
the M1867. Also, something that is not very clear from written
descriptions, but very apparent once you see it: notice how the
edges of the mortise (rectangular hole for the breechblock) on the
M1860 are relatively sharp, while the edges on the M1867 look blunt
and rounded. This is about the quickest way (other than reading the
markings) to distinguish an M1860 from one of the later models
(M1865, M1867, and New Model).
Take care,
(D.J.) Dave