another vintage trapdoor picture [Archive]

JBinIll

10-19-2014, 04:53

Here's another posed "action" shot shot.The soldier closest to the viewer is wearing a Krag 100 round cartridge belt.

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p529/OldGussie/1606377_10203062057168693_4449161312117462601_o.jp g

butlersrangers

10-19-2014, 08:36

This picture was taken, circa 1900, at what was then 'The Michigan Military Academy'. This is supposedly the place where General Sherman gave his "War is Hell" speech. The building is still standing, on the St. Mary's Orchard Lake Campus. I can't tell if the Springfields are full length or Cadet versions.

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butlersrangers

10-19-2014, 08:56

I don't know if this American Officer with the shades had sensitive eyes or was young Dr. Strangelove. They are in the Philippines. The 'Carmen Miranda' could be anywhere. Hopefully, not in Michigan. 'I love the smell of Black Powder in the Morning'!

butlersrangers

10-19-2014, 09:28

31047

This is a U. S. Signal Corps field telegraph station, believed to be outside of Manila during the SAW. The 'dispatch riders' have Model 1873 Carbines.

45govt

10-20-2014, 03:12

Here is one or two
I have others and may post later
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/134178996.jpg
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/386902193.jpg

JBinIll

10-20-2014, 07:38

Neat pictures,thanks for posting.

45govt

10-22-2014, 06:57

Just thought I would post another

This is Alice and her TD

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/6432786/410239683.jpg

butlersrangers

10-22-2014, 09:14

Alice, a Woman who has everything!

Dan Shapiro

10-23-2014, 05:21

NOBODY messes with Alice!

Well, not more that once!

45govt

10-25-2014, 09:49

butlersrangers

10-25-2014, 11:28

The men with 'Ties' look young. I wonder if they are in a Military School or trying to 'court' Alice? The Lady with the Carbine is Alice's Mom ('The Leopard Woman')!

Chaz

10-26-2014, 11:52

Angela Davis in white face?

Dick Hosmer

10-26-2014, 01:30

Angela Davis in white face?

Good one! (but I think it is a hat)

Look at the ankles on the one in costume - what a beast - and before deodorant, too!

Much as I enjoy trapdoor pics, that one belongs in the trash!

butlersrangers

10-26-2014, 05:52

Dick, I think you are being too quick to judge. This woman did not have an unpleasant face and she was, by appearances, quite, strong. She was probably a fine cook and homemaker. It could be, she was a good conversationalist. Maybe it's my Midwest values talking, but, I think she had a lot to bring to the table (and perhaps she smelled of Hoppes)!

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Dick Hosmer

10-27-2014, 09:03

Strong? She could pull your plow! I think she brought a lot to the table, and consumed a good deal of it. You wouldn't want her swinging a frying pan at you, either!

All that aside, I wonder what the circumstances were that led to a rather strange photo. Perhaps the Loyal Order of the Water Buffalo had a ladies auxilliary?

This is a lot more fun than answering dull questions about breechblocks - which are few and far between, these days. I'm beginning to think that the books and forums have already educated all of the (apparently few) people who care.

butlersrangers

10-27-2014, 10:13

The 'lady' is wearing a Leopard Skin cape. She is showing a lot of arm and ankle for the period of the photo. "45govt" surmised she was in theatrical costume and I think he is probably correct. There was a 1920 Silent Film, "The Leopard Woman". Possibly this woman was acting the part in an earlier Stage Play version.
I am sure Custer could have used her at the 'Little Big Horn'. She could have turned the tide of battle! (With Carbine and Fry Pan).

Dick, what do you think of the photos of the young men with 'ties' and the Michigan Military Academy 'cadets'? Are those full-length 1873s?

45govt

10-27-2014, 06:15

I don't think I will be throwing any away:icon_scratch:

Anyway.. here are a couple more one not a TD and the other, well I will see if anyone notices, I am sure a couple will.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/391450312.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/398999006.jpg

butlersrangers

10-27-2014, 07:17

That 1st gent looks like a Michigan National Guardsman with a Model 1899 Remington-Lee (in .30-40) and a navy blue Mills belt which includes pockets for spare mags and Remington bayonet! - Great Picture - Please tell me more!
That second gent seems to have some type of Trapdoor Musketoon. It has a sling-bar with ring and appears to have only one barrel-band. Neat, I am not familiar with this variation. Could it be a Model 1886 experimental carbine? Great Pictures! Thanks.

Dick Hosmer

10-28-2014, 01:00

Yes, that has to be an XC - nothing else is possible.

Fred

10-28-2014, 01:23

Nothing to do so thought I would post a couple more

1st a later group with their rifles
I had to do a little manipulation as it is a light photo

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/410255602.jpg

And possibly an actress with her carbine

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/6432786/410255601.jpg

The lady with the carbine is not of European decent. She seems to have facial features that could be Micronesian, Hispanic, South or Central American Indian or South Seas, Hawaiian, Philippine Morrow or take your pick. She appears to be wearing ceremonial or cultural clothing. Her left foot appears to be very short. Maybe it isn't. However maybe she is missing part of her left foot from an accident or it has been disfigured by cultural tradition. Maybe she has been given the carbine to help her stand for the photo. Just some thoughts on it all.
As a matter of fact, I believe that she is an Hawaiian princes or queen or someone of that line. Just a gut feeling.

butlersrangers

10-28-2014, 03:56

Fred: You may be correct about a deformity to the 'Carbine Lady's' left foot (or it is an illusion with the 'rug'), but, I think you are wrong about her ethnicity. The woman's facial features look quite fair skinned, round faced, German to me. Her costume is quite flamboyant and looks made of curtains or draperies, with Leopard skin, arm bands and chains! (Attached are photos of Liliukalani, 1st and last female Hawaiian Monarch. Also, a rare 1898 photo of Moro women, from Mindanao, P.I. Coloring and facial bone structure are quite different from 'Carbine Lady', IMHO). Americans were pretty wild around 1900, when they improvised costumes! Sorry no guns in attached pics.

Is it just me or do the young men with neck ties have Cadet length Trapdoors?

butlersrangers

10-30-2014, 08:49

By the 1890s the Michigan State Troops were armed with Model 1873 Springfields. However, in the early 1880s, Michigan had purchased Sharps-Borchardts for her Troops, when the Federal Government was slow in providing arms. The Borchardt proved fragile, unpopular and unsatisfactory for State Militia service. The Trapdoor was simpler and more robust.
The Michigan Naval Reserves were armed with Remington-Lee rifles in .45-70.

(Photos showing: Detroit Light Guard, circa 1898, with 'Trapdoors'. They are probably taking the Inter-urban to the camp at Island Lake for SAW service. 1882 photo of Dupont's Co. of Detroit Light Guard at Island Lake annual encampment. Picture shows great detail of their Borchardts. Lastly, Detroit Naval Reserves at 1895 Memorial Day celebration and GAR Parade. The sailors are carrying .45-70 Remington-Lees with magazines removed).

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da gimp

10-31-2014, 06:36

In the photo of the young men with ties....... does one of them (2nd from L on bottom row) have a shotgun? & good eyes fred.......... on spotting the injured foot.

Looked harder at the pix in better light.. it appears to just be a rifle with sling in the man's hand.........

Dick Hosmer

10-31-2014, 07:39

Dick, what do you think of the photos of the young men with 'ties' and the Michigan Military Academy 'cadets'? Are those full-length 1873s?

Hard to tell, but I think, without getting too deep into it, that they are full length.

butlersrangers

10-31-2014, 08:32

Thanks Dick:
I played with Mich. M.A. - (Orchard Lake) photo a bit. I think these Model 1873 rifles may be Cadet rifles.
They seem to lack a swivel on the trigger-guard bow and appear to have just a stacking-swivel on the forward barrel-band. I am not expert with trapdoors and do not have the best reference material.

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45govt

11-01-2014, 10:47

Well here are a few more

84 rifle wearing a rifleman's knife and two small handguns, note the rifle has a site cover

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/410298949.jpg

A large group

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/398162726.jpg

On the range

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/394587504.jpg

And in the PI

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL596/2374373/5463850/387903262.jpg

Dick Hosmer

11-02-2014, 08:01

Last picture clearly shows the scarce, if not rare, hook-style scabbard frog.

butlersrangers

11-02-2014, 01:10

It also shows, the shiny stamped "U.S." Mills buckle, a partial holster view, and a really nice pin-stripe shirt! (I do like the
rifle Range photo). Thanks 45govt for sharing your 'trapdoor' photo collection.