For Trapdoor Fans

[po]

New find. Any of you gents familiar with the Springfield trapdoors? I'm going to have a lot of questions about this.

It's clearly marked 1873. But the cartouche is 1886 and I don't think they made the 73 that late. Would a model 1884 be marked as a 73? Mechanically, this thing is tight. Bore and chamber are clean and smooth. Some pitting and patina on lockplate, triggerguard and buttplate.

-- po

 

[MrM4]

I have a freind that owns 1, actually a very sound design. His is also marked 1874 IIRC, never fired it.

 

[po]

The cartouche.

 

[po]

Does anyone know the significance of these markings?

-- po

 

[dawg180]

Looks to be a barrel proof mark.

I would post the pics over at gunboards.com, those guys (espeically Rick the Librarian) know EVERYTHING about early U.S. martial arms.

 

[Funker]

Very Nice!
Looks Good. So are you going to shoot it?
Or Hang it on the Mantle?

 

[po]

Very Nice!
Looks Good. So are you going to shoot it?
Or Hang it on the Mantle?

The bore is perfect. I'm going to shoot it. I do not know much about the trapdoors. I'd like to use the mildest factory load available but I do not want to use black powder. Anyone have any recomendations?

Also, the stock seems a little dry. Any recommendations to treat the wood?

-- po

 

[Hughjimbissel]

BPC is no big deal. Get a few cases, load with Pyrodex or? and a 300 gr bullet. Lots of smoke and fun. Some people shoot 'em with a weak smokeless load but it is a black powder gun. I have an 1884 cavalry carbine, made 1886. Just another part of the total gun experience.

 

[Funker]

I have a repro Colt walker that I shoot BP FFF and I also use pyrodex. Both are corrosive and you need to wash them with water. I hate that Part.Major break down and major clean,dry and lube.I don't shoot my 1858 remington pistol because of that. They do have some new stuff out, that you can use a solvent to clean, I haven't tried that yet. I would hate to think of you scrubbing that badboy down in your tub....


P.S.
You need the Bayonet!:thumbs_up

 

[FlaSport]

Trapdoor

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/

try here. Lots of good info on the trapdoors.

 

[po]

Thanks and keep the information coming! I'm using it all.

-- po

 

[sharps_74]

Man those were some nice rifles. Let me take a crack at this. The cartouche with the three letters in it are from an inspector by the name of Samuel W. Porter. It was inspected in 1889. The mark "V" was for "viewing" and "P" was for "proving". The eagle head was use to show that the barrel had undergone its second polishing.

Use only pure lead bullets. When loading remember that loads were by measure not weight. I've loaded many rounds using 777, Pyrodex and even black powder. What bullet weight are you wanting to use?

The stocks were soaked in lemon oil at the armory. Any good wood oil should do the trick for the rifle.

Going from the trigger guard toward the butt on the underside of the weapon there should be a "P" in an oval in the wood. This is to show that the weapon has passed all inspections. There may also be the subinspector's mark ("AL")between the trigger plate and the "P" mark.

I hope this helps if I can assist you further please let me know.

One more thing. Mind the extractor, they were sometimes brittle.

 

[po]

Thanks for the information, Sharps 74.

I'd like to try a 500 Grain bullet, as that is what I believe the 84's were designed to handle. However, I will probably start with Black Hills 400 Grain Cowboy loads.

I have no gear or ingredients to roll my own .45-70 but might make the investment after I empty some brass.

The rifle is in outstanding condition and everything appears to be original.

-- po