The defective low numbered Springfields were those whose receivers were raised to an excessive temperature in the furnace during the heat treatment process, which resulted in chrystalized metal structure and receivers which were hard all the way through, rather than hard on the surface and soft in the middle. Some were so brittle that they shattered when tapped with a hammer.

This condition would have been obvious when drilling and tapping the receiver for the Lyman 48 sight.

It is difficult to believe that any of the gun makers represented in Michael's collection was so ignorant or negligent as to use such a receiver in creating a fine sporting rifle.

I have no compunctions about firing my Wundhammer Springfield, or for that matter, my Sedgleys, although Sedgley's re-heat treatment is questionable. If a receiver was overheated, resulting in a change in the characteristics of the steel, no amount of re-heat treatment could salvage it.