SRS Check Please

[PhilRich]

Hi,
I've just joined this forum. I recently purchased my first Trapdoor that is in pretty nice condition. The serial number is 564568. I'd appreciate a SRS check for this rifle to see if there is anything concerning it's history.

I did have it out to the range this week. It is shooting over a foot high at 50yds! It has the Buffington sight. In using the lower peep hole it is shoot more to point of aim. It will take a while to figure this one out. A taller front sight would help, but I don't want to modify the rifle.

Thanks,
Phil

[JimF]

What you are describing is normal . . . .

If you are interested only in shooting for group size, a blank (white) sheet of paper above your aiming point will do.

If you want to shoot to POA (point of aim) I’ve fabricated a taller (and wider) front sight of WOOD, then glued it to the back-side of the original front sight . . . .then sanded the top down ‘til the POA and POI (point of impact) coincided.

The glue I used was easily removed when the rifle was sold, and left NO RESIDUE to indicate anything was ever attached to the original front sight!

O’course, one must handle the rifle carefully to avoid damaging that tiny chunk of wood out in front!

[Tom Trevor]

No listing for your number in SRS.

[PhilRich]

No listing for your number in SRS.

Thanks for looking!

The rifle I have has been modified to a 25 inch barrel length, the stock shortened, along with the ramrod and nose cap to fit. The question I have is: Did the Springfield armory provide such such conversions upon request by an officer? I'm aware of the special officer's models, but this in not one of them. I was told that this rifle was modified by the armory. I was aware that the story may not be true when purchasing the rifle, I just like rifles with shorter barrels and this one is in really nice condition. It is not a parts gun.

Phil

[Tom Trevor]

The short answer is NO. It was done by the world famous gunsmith BUBBA.

[Fred]

Because your barrel has been shortened, its rifle rear sight, when sighting with your front sight, raises the muzzle of your trapdoor higher.
Also using a bullet that is lighter than 500 grains (for which your rifle was originally calibrated to shoot) will raise the point of impact.

[Dick Hosmer]

The short answer is NO. It was done by the world famous gunsmith BUBBA.

Well, not exactly, but certainly not after 1875!

[PhilRich]

What was different after 1875?

Pictures of the rilfe:

[Dick Hosmer]

Prior to that date, even back into the .50-70 period - 1866 to 1872 - SA would, upon request, make up "special" rifles for officers and dignitaries, but the process became burdensome and it was decided (in 1875) to produce ONE "standardized" fancy rifle available for purchase by anyone who wanted a special arm.

[PhilRich]

My attempt to post pictures didn't work out correctly. I thought it would be in two separate posts. I'm going to order a higher front sight blade correct the POI at 100 yds.

Trapdoor 1884 1.jpg
Trapdoor 1884 11.jpg
Trapdoor 1884.jpg
Trapdoor 1884 9.jpg

[Dick Hosmer]

Handy little gun. Someone - but not SA - did a very nice job indeed. It was originally a M1884 Cadet rifle, type 2 with 29.6" barrel.

Were I doing it, I'd have made it just a bit longer, probably 26". It should be a fun gun to shoot!

[JimF]

. . . It was originally a M1884 Cadet rifle, . . . .

I would have thought it was originally a 1888 RRB rifle, given the high serial number, stock cartouche, and one-piece trigger guard.

[Dick Hosmer]

I would have thought it was originally a 1888 RRB rifle, given the high serial number, stock cartouche, and one-piece trigger guard.

That was my first thought of course, but then I noticed the thin wrist short comb stock! Cadets were among the last guns produced, I once owned 565115 (a pretty high number).

[PhilRich]

Handy little gun. Someone - but not SA - did a very nice job indeed. It was originally a M1884 Cadet rifle, type 2 with 29.6" barrel.

Were I doing it, I'd have made it just a bit longer, probably 26". It should be a fun gun to shoot!

Thanks for the feedback concerning the origin of this rifle. What is the significance of the number stamped on both sides of the buttstock? I am planning on having fun shooting it. I too would have made the barrel 26 inches if shortened.

I've gotten bit by the blackpowder cartridge rifle shooting bug. I now have three Sharps replicas made by C Sharps, one in 45-70, another in 45-90, and one in 40-70ss. Since getting involved in shooting these at the local club and at their matches my interest has drifted away from the more modern firearms. I do have a collection of WW2 enfields, arisakas, mosins, M1 Garand and carbine as well as the 03A3 I bought through the NRA way back when. Unfortunately I sporterized it not knowing what I now value, but have returned it more to it's original condition with the exception of a repo stock and new barrel. A while back I picked up a shortened Krag for $150 at Cabelas, just to have one to get a feel for how they handled, etc. It is a pretty good shooter, however would be an eye sore for a Krag enthusiast. I reload for all of these. For the BPCR's I'm using real black powder.

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks for the feedback concerning the origin of this rifle. What is the significance of the number stamped on both sides of the buttstock? I am planning on having fun shooting it. I too would have made the barrel 26 inches if shortened.

I've gotten bit by the blackpowder cartridge rifle shooting bug. I now have three Sharps replicas made by C Sharps, one in 45-70, another in 45-90, and one in 40-70ss. Since getting involved in shooting these at the local club and at their matches my interest has drifted away from the more modern firearms. I do have a collection of WW2 enfields, arisakas, mosins, M1 Garand and carbine as well as the 03A3 I bought through the NRA way back when. Unfortunately I sporterized it not knowing what I now value, but have returned it more to it's original condition with the exception of a repo stock and new barrel. A while back I picked up a shortened Krag for $150 at Cabelas, just to have one to get a feel for how they handled, etc. It is a pretty good shooter, however would be an eye sore for a Krag enthusiast. I reload for all of these. For the BPCR's I'm using real black powder.

You're quite welcome. Be careful about Krags; one is usually not enough, but I'd suggest you get an original uncut one for your next buy.