Trapdoor Springfields

[AFJuvat]

Looking at adding a trapdoor to my collection.

Does anyone have any hints/tips/tricks for things to look for or to look out for?

Thanks

[psteinmayer]

Dick Hosmer is pretty much the Trapdoor Guru... and you can take anything he tells you to the bank!!!

[butlersrangers]

It helps to carefully consider your goal(s): A pristine collector piece, model and caliber (.50-70 or .45-70), historical context, good representative example or just an economy shooter?

(A cut-down rifle/quasi-carbine can be a fun shooter and not cost too much).

I suggest you pick up a $20 book or two. Poyer has a useful one on the .45-70. Dick Hosmer has a great one on the .50-70 models. (You can buy it from him and he will autograph it).

[Dick Hosmer]

Chuck (B/Rs) beat me to it. Wanting to buy "a trapdoor" is like going to Baskin and Robbins. We'll need to know more of the what & why before making a lot of recommendations, other than the basics:

(1) Don't be in a hurry - they (except for a few models which would not be a good choice for a novice anyhow) are NOT rare.

(2) Get to know what "old" is supposed to look like. Avoid ANY sort of refinishing like the plague, unless you just want a cheap shooter with no resale value.

(3) Do some homework so that you know what piece goes with which model. There are a lot of mix-masters out there.

(4) Spend some time browsing www.gunbroker.com. Feel free to ask our opinion of any auction on which you might be interested in bidding.

(5) Don't become one of those guys who say "I just bought a xxxxxxxxxx for $$$$, how did I do?" That is one of the world's dumbest questions - if you do not already KNOW the answer, your wallet should have stayed in your pants pocket!

The search will be exciting.

[AFJuvat]

Thanks for the replies.

I have had some collectors refer to me as a "accumulator" rather than a collector. I see firearms, particularly military firearms, as pieces of living history, so I have built my collection in that direction.

So when I am looking for a firearm, these are the principles I generally try and follow:

1. A good representation of 'type' - in this case, a "Trapdoor Springfield", preferably one that was made later in the production run (Mod 1884 etc).

2. Prefer one that is 'correct' - meaning it has all of the correct parts installed for that year/model. If it doesn't, it won't need to pay the value of another rifle to make it correct.

3. I am not looking for a museum quality piece. They are pieces of living history to me. I take great pleasure in being able to take them to the range and punch some holes in paper with them. The end result of this is that I now reload for about 15 odd calibers.

Here is a link for one I was looking at - thoughts and feedback are welcomed.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/gun-library/scarborough-gun-library|/pc/103792680/c/105950880/springfield-1884-45-70/2387860.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fscarborough-gun-library%2F_%2FN-1103686%2B4294712423%2FNe-4294712423%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

[butlersrangers]

'AFJuvat' - That looks like a correct late model 1873 to me and would probably be a nice 'Shooter' or representative SAW piece.

The stock markings are interesting, but, a mystery to me.

IMHO - Cabela's $900 price is about $200 higher than I would expect to pay at a Gun Show for a 'trapdoor' in that condition. (It does have visible minor cosmetic flaws to metal finish and stock).

I like to see such a rifle first hand to be sure of bore condition, correct function of lock and action, and condition of Stock.

Dick Hosmer's advice to be patient and monitor selling (and 'sold') prices on GunBroker is golden.

[AFJuvat]

I took a few pictures of one I am looking at. I have a few books on order, but they are being delivered to my house, and I am up in Maine on business.

Bore condition is excellent. What raises the hairs on the back of my neck is the fact that it almost looks too nice.

[AFJuvat]

A few more pictures. It does lock up tight, with a three notch sear. It has a ramrod, and no door on the buttplate.

[butlersrangers]

I don't see anything suspicious. The serial number, 461669, and 1889 stock 'cartouche' seem consistent.

Lots of 'Trapdoor' Springfield rifles saw light or little use and were well maintained.

'Bubba' didn't get to this one, to bugger up the screws!

[psteinmayer]

Looks pretty good to me too