Interchangeable Parts - Implementation

Implementation

Numerous inventors began to try to implement the principle Blanc had described. The development of the machine tools and manufacturing practices required would be a great expense to the U.S. Ordnance Department, and for some years while trying to achieve interchangeabililty, the firearms produced cost more to manufacture. By 1853 there was evidence that interchangeable parts, then perfected by the Federal Armories, led to a savings. The Ordnance Department freely shared the techniques used with outside suppliers.