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Brad
03-03-2019, 03:38
I guess my main question is, is this exactly the same as a 1873?
Thing has the base for a Buffington rear sight. That seems odd to me for an early gun? But what do I know? Can I build on that?
Needs a firing pin, are they all the same? Do I need a FP spring?
Needs an extractor spring. Do I need a plunger also?

The drawings, pictures I have found so far just are not all that clear?
This thing is pretty rough, but it has a good bore. Just want to make it a shooter.
Thanks
Tom Trevor
03-03-2019, 06:26
Simple answer it is NOT an 8 just a three stamped deeply found on rifles around 1883 on. This subject has been covered for years now. May look like it but is not. Google " 1873 trapdoor Springfield with 1878 dated block" Pages of replied there.
The firing pin you want would not have a spring. It would have a oval hole for the retainer screw to ride in. The extractor has to have the spring and plunger to operate and throw out shell. Hope this helps.
Brad
03-04-2019, 05:48
Sir, It helps immensely, just the answers I needed.
Thanks ever so much.
Dick Hosmer
03-04-2019, 10:14
All that said, I've received a photo of a 'minty' block where NONE of the caveats are in the least bit evident, and it certainly appears to be a virgin 1878.

And THAT said, we live in the day of Photoshop where anything is possible. So, I'll believe it when I hold it in my hands. Never forget that, FWIW, the records found to date do NOT support such a marking, at all.
Brad
03-04-2019, 03:25
So just to be sure I understand and have this correct.
There is no such thing as an 1878?
Tom Trevor
03-04-2019, 05:24
No there is NO such thing. Obtain a copy of the trapdoor Springfield book by Frasca and Hill. Then read it from cover to cover you will find nothing, nada .
Dick Hosmer
03-04-2019, 09:29
45437 Here 'tis. Practically new. I'm sure the pic has been diddled, but at least they didn't just clone the other "8"
70ish
03-06-2019, 12:28
In Dick's photo, the two "8"s are not the same. At best it appears to be an over struck 3; at worst, it could be a doctored 3, but a 3 none the less. I'd accept Dick's opinion as offered.
Brad
03-08-2019, 05:13
WOW!! How could that happen?
No wonder some are confused, as am I??
Thanks to all