forks of the delaware gun show

[free1954]

at the Allentown fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. lots of trapdoors and trapdoor accessories. even had a long range 45-80 on display.

[Dick Hosmer]

I'd be very interested in the serial number of the LR rifle. What kind of sights did it have?

Made it to the Allentown show just once, in 1992, when I was in the east on business, and was absolutely blown away by the selection. Went with Frank Mallory, who introduced me to Burt Kellerstedt and Joe DeChristopher, as well as Wayne Gagner. Frank and Burt are gone now. Wayne inherited SRS, sadly we never hit it off, one of the few sour apples encountered over 45 years of fooling with Springfields.

[free1954]

it had a paper laying over the rear sight explaining what the rifle was, from the side it looked like an 1873 sight. and the front sight looked like a blade with a hood on it. the serial was in the 160000 range.
I seen rifles there that before i had only seen on your website.

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks. There are three basic "versions" of the LRR recognized by collectors, though SA made no such distinction:

(1) About 50 prototypes/experimentals/early attempts, with varying features, 110000 to 136000. Some look like service rifles until inspected closely.
(2) 24 identical rifles with Hotchkiss butt, and Sharps tang and windgauge sights, no barrel sight holes, very tightly grouped from 162001 to 162048
(3) About 125 rifles with Bull sight and Hotchkiss butt, nearly all in the 162400 range

You almost certainly saw a (3).

[free1954]

you're welcome. I might be going to the oct show. if I do i'll take a closer look at it if it's there.