Daryl, that's an interesting observation about pinfires and the loading block. Manufrance started operations in St. Etienne in 1888 long after the beginning of the decline of pinfire which was the center of the pinfire universe as the cartridge was invented by Frenchman LeFraucheaux. However, Manufrance probably had a lot of Frenchmen hanging on to their old guns and MF may have intentionally put the slots in the block to accommodate them. There would be no other reason for the slits. Here's a photo of the rear of both blocks. The slit could have easily been made by a rotary chop saw blade. The holes appear to have been drilled by a Fortnser type bit. The bit pilot holes are visible in the larger block. Gil
