The quest for a carbine...GB auctions

[Lead Snowstorm]

Greetings all,

Having dipped my toes in the trapdoor waters with a couple of rifle purchases, I'm actively researching carbines and am acutely aware that this can be a minefield. I don't know if I'm violating the spirit or letter of any rules by doing this - I'll delete if so - but I was wondering if I might pick the experts' brains on a couple of months' worth of gunbroker auctions I have tracked. These are all ended, not currently active, auctions that caught my eye in particular, but I did not bid on...hoping perhaps to get some pointers on whether or not I'm looking at the right things, instead of just requesting answers on a specific item from the experts.

I've listed a few of my thoughts on each below the links. I *think* these are all legit carbines, not cut-down rifles, although I also think a couple of them may be restorations/parts guns - if I let any rifles slip through into this list, please smack me. I also think some of them were pretty reasonably priced, but I don't think any (well, with maybe one exception, and I wasn't looking specifically for that carbine type) were deals of the century - again, if any strike ya'll as screaming good deals I passed up, smack me. But these mostly seemed to fall into an in-between category, either price or condition desirability - not cheap enough I couldn't pass it up, but not good enough condition I'd be willing to have gone higher. If I'm off on my pricing, let me know.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/866816698

This one caught my eye with a pleasing overall look, a remnant of the script "P," and the slotless screws for the sight. To the negative side, the extracurricular stock carvings and loss of the cartouche, as well as the barrel band, led me to back away. I was very close to bidding on this one, but it went juuuuuust a tad higher than I would've liked given its warts.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/850019680

Another nice item, but the rear sight scared me off. Looks like a slotted screw to the rear, and completely missing the front screw. Also in some of the photos there seemed to be a color/patina mismatch between the breechblock and the rear sight compared to the rest of the gun. There was a hint of a cartouche, but illegible.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/858920581

Slotted screws on the rear sight, and some pretty buggered ones, at that. Some rash on the stock on the left under the rear sight, too. Also - and this is probably rather irrational, but a pet peeve of mine nonetheless - I don't like auctions with reserves.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/858933905

This one I do regret. I've been looking more for an 1873 or 1877 rather than an 1884; and if I look at an 1884, I'm aesthetically attracted to the ones with the barrel band protector. Looking back, this is probably one of the nicer ones that got away, for a pretty good price. Again, though, the cartouches are not evident.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865300229

Slotted screws on the rear sight; 1873 dated lock plate; faint cartouche but seems to read 1886...if there is a reason for this carbine to be the way it is (other than 'parts gun') I'll admit I am not savvy enough to know it.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/854206279

This one really caught my eye with some early features, but that rear sight kind of jumped out at me. Why so blue compared to the rest of the gun? What are those marks on the barrel underneath the rear sight? As the old saying goes, if you don't know your jewels, know your jeweler. This one looked like either a gem or a nicely restored/corrected piece, and I'm not confident enough in knowing my jewels.

[Tom Trevor]

I would not have bought any of them. Just poor condition and will barely be worth what was paid for them years from now. Look at Al Frascas site and the classified section Pay a little more for a nice one. Just my opinion. I hoped someone would pipe in but its has been a few days since you posted.

[jon_norstog]

I'll second that. Al Frasca has a reputation to uphold, knows his s**T and doesn't sell junk. I bought an '84 rifle from him, it was better than described and will put one shot after another into the same hole at 50 yds.

jn.

[Major Tom]

I'll add to what Al Frasca sells on his website. He is a very knowledgible about trapdoors. I bought a 1889 rifle from him several years ago plus an original bayonet and sling. He does not sell junk period! His descriptions of each firearm is if anything understated. My rifle was beyond how he described it, absolutely pristine. On Gunbroker you will find overpriced fakes and just pure junk also overpriced.

[Carlsr]

I would definitely pass on all of those!! I have bought several TD's off GB and have had relatively good luck. You need to also check out the sellers feedback as that will tell you if he is a respected seller or just a plain rip off. This is a carbine I recently purchased off GB, It was covered with paint and years of grime. I took a chance on it as I knew the paint and grime "with a little elbow grease" should clean up nicely.
For the price of 1000.00 turned out to be well worth it. Turned out to be a stared carbine, which the seller was unaware of manufactured in 1881 and upgraded for the Spanish American War.
47696

[Fred]

The last carbine went for over 1,000 dollars more than it was worth in my opinion.
the stock was heavily sanded. Very little if any collector value in it.
The next to the last carbine had its trigger guard bow on backwards.
until you know a lot more about Trapdoors, I’d stick with Al to buy a trapdoor from.
He is honest and knowledgeable on the subject.
His trapdoors are legitimate.

[Lead Snowstorm]

Thanks for the responses, glad it doesn't seem I let something amazing slip past. I've definitely kept an eye on trapdoorcollector.com as well. The hunt continues...

[Fred]

Following the link below, you'll find a correct carbine that is worth every penny you pay for it and then some.
Al is selling it.

https://www.trapdoorcollector.com//188535.html

[Lead Snowstorm]

A follow-on as the quest continues...this looked like a very reasonable entry-level shooter, and I was tempted to pull the trigger. If it had slightly better wood I probably would have, but...for now I’m still saving pennies towards something like the carbine linked in the post above.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/879385105

[Carlsr]

I saw that one, seemed to be a nice one other than being lightly sanded. Sold for 910.00, a rather good deal from what I can see.

[mr.j]

This one must of got over looked or something was wrong with it, Its an early 77 carbine with upgrades.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/874446174

[Dick Hosmer]

That's a little rough, even for me. Talk about being ridden hard and put away wet - then used for a fencepost! But, it's real.

[mr.j]

What I find interesting about the carbine is that I have seen another in the 87000 range with same upgrades on the ima wed site, my guess is a bunch were left in storage maybe until the 1890's.