New member

[Darren]

Greetings all!

I've just joined and am excited to begin to sift through all of the forums. I do have a Trapdoor that I would like any information on. I have tried uploading photos but am apparently doing something wrong as each attempt ends with the: "Upload failed" message. Some of the number stampings on the gun are hard to read. I have what appears to say a "US Model 1878". The serial number looks like it reads: "373857". The first digit maybe an "8" but looks more like a "3" to me. Anyways, any insights would be appreciated. Thanks much.

[Fred]

Welcome to the forum Darren!

[dave]

Dick Hosmer is the guy to talk to. Altho he will ask for pics, so learn what's wrong there first.

[Darren]

I think I figured out how to attach some pictures of my Trapdoor.
If so, you can see where the first digit of the SN seems confusing.

Any insights is appreciated.

Thanks again.


41000410014100241003
40999

[Dick Hosmer]

Everything looks perfectly normal for the serial number, which is 273857. The breechblock marking is "1873" not "1878". There was a period (periods?) when some anomaly caused the stamp to be struck too heavily - but - under good magnification and lighting - the last digit is always a "3". The marks on the bottom of the barrel relate to proof (a series of overloads) testing, while those on the top confirm passage of subsequent tests - the eaglehead signifies US government ownership. A nice clean specimen, made in 1884. The 1873 block is NOT wrong for 1884, wording did not change until 1886/87 when they finally ran out of the earlier part.

[Fred]

Your rifle, number 273857, was one of 34,775 rifles produced at Springfield Armory in 1884.
There is no available data regarding that rifle. However this is what is available on rifles just above and below that serial number. That really doesn't mean anything though because rifles weren't shipped, stored or issued by serial numbers. It's just something interesting to ponder about.

27364784R 98CO E 3RD KY VOL INF
27365784R 98CO E 3RD KY VOL INF
27367384R 98CO E 3RD KY VOL INF
27373784R 98CO E 3RD KY VOL INF
27385484R 1121981ST ILL VOL INF
27386484R 98CO I 2ND LA VOL INF
27387584R 98CO I 2ND LA VOL INF
27387984R 98CO I 2ND LA VOL INF
27388684R 98CO L 2ND ARK VOL INF

[Darren]

Thank you very much.

I saw it leaning against the wall in a local gun shop outside of Nashville. When I asked about it, I was told that someone had just brought it in that morning. So I traded my flintlock replica and a hundred bucks and came home with it. I like to think my great-uncle at least trained with one similar before shipping off to the Philippines in 1898.

[Dick Hosmer]

Good trade! An original anything is more satisfying to the soul than any replica.

[Tkacook]

If you got the bayonet with it, you got a great deal! Nice looking rifle.

[Darren]

Thank you!
The bayonet sealed the deal for me. The scabbard actually. The medallion is stamped "NGP". My great-uncle was in the 43rd PA Volunteers. I have his McKeever case, also marked "NGP", and belt.