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Kragrifle
07-25-2016, 05:14
Not a trapdoor, but close. I have a very nice Lee that I disassembled years ago to look at the number (43) as I recall. Dick said there was another place to check the serial number on these rifles. Could you please tell me again? Thank you.
Dick Hosmer
07-25-2016, 07:24
Glad to - the hammer/breechblock combo has a (tiny) pair of matching numbers, on the right side. This is easily viewable by removing the assembly. The other number is on the side of the one-piece trigger-guard, which - on a "very nice" specimen, I'd just take for granted, rather than to risk popping a chip off the edge of the mortise.

In my opnion, the Lee was a very under-rated arm. Cadet length OA, but with a full 32.6" barrel, massively strong, and lightning fast to operate. Most survivng Lees are in very nice condition; I've only seen one truly rough one (and it was a dog).

36667
PhillipM
07-26-2016, 07:18
Only 143 made?
Dick Hosmer
07-26-2016, 10:41
That's it! $10,000 was appropriated for its' trial, but, after making up the tooling, only a limited amount was left for production.

Only one source, the official 1878 Ordnance Dept. pamphlet, "Manufactures at National Armory. 1872-1877", disagrees - they say 145.
5MadFarmers
07-26-2016, 12:44
That's it! $10,000 was appropriated for its' trial, but, after making up the tooling, only a limited amount was left for production.

Only one source, the official 1878 Ordnance Dept. pamphlet, "Manufactures at National Armory. 1872-1877", disagrees - they say 145.

Manufacturing report for FY1875 agrees with the 145 figure.

Of the $10K appropriated, $8,622.11 was spent.
PhillipM
07-26-2016, 02:37
Interesting design. I don't see why he didn't sell them commercially.

https://youtu.be/fmMPQDlIB80
psteinmayer
07-27-2016, 04:03
What an amazing and innovative design! Shame that more weren't manufactured!
Kragrifle
07-27-2016, 04:58
Hi Dick
I took the rifle apart a long time ago. Have not seen it in awhile. Is taking the breech block and hammer out much of a task? Can you remind me how I did it?

Thanks
Dick Hosmer
07-27-2016, 07:14
Basically, twist the pin, pull it out, and then wiggle the hammer assembly up and out (uncocked of course) while pulling the trigger. The extractor lays loose in the breech cavity - make sure you note where/how it is placed, before reassembling.
jon_norstog
07-27-2016, 11:56
Too bad no one is making those as replicas. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Or maybe two heartbeats.


jn
Kragrifle
09-28-2019, 09:42
Hi Dick
Molasses’s slow, I’m slower. Finally found my Lee Vertical Action.
Took it apart per your directions. Number 45! Thanks for the help.

Mike
Dick Hosmer
09-28-2019, 03:39
You're very welcome! Interesting gun, deserved a better fate.

- - - Updated - - -


Manufacturing report for FY1875 agrees with the 145 figure.

Of the $10K appropriated, $8,622.11 was spent.

Thanks, Joe - I'd somehow missed this response.

That shows the value of PRIMARY research!!!
lyman
10-03-2019, 07:09
had one of these in my hands last fall,

picked up an estate, older gent who inherited a lot of stuff from his long deceased father,

Lee Vertical action in very good shape was part of it, (as well as a very nice Trapdoor Officers Model),

I bought most of his stuff, and suggested he contact several auction houses on the Lee and the Springfield(and a couple others) since he wanted top dollar for them (no margin for me)

I did not get a chance to take down and get the number, and last I heard he was negotiating with RIA over commission rates
Dick Hosmer
10-03-2019, 07:37
I'm going to have to begin drastically thinning my accumulation, but the Lee will be a keeper - neat gun.

Just for grins, what is a Krag "officer's carbine"? To my knowledge there was no such thing?
lyman
10-03-2019, 08:10
I'm going to have to begin drastically thinning my accumulation, but the Lee will be a keeper - neat gun.

Just for grins, what is a Krag "officer's carbine"? To my knowledge there was no such thing?

thank you for the memory jog,

sorry I posted incorrectly

it was not a krag (he did have a 1898 that I bought and sold)
it was one of the Trapdoor Officer Models
much nicer than this one (condition wise)

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/75/2208/fine-us-springfield-engraver-officers-model-1875-trapdoor