1873 Trapdoor with brass fittings

[foxfirerodandgun]

I have recently acquired a Trapdoor carbine with a very worn side plate eagle and date which appears to be 1873. The serial number, 354**, thus seems to be in the Custer range. What has me puzzled is that all of the fittings, (i.e.) side plate, trigger guard, butt plate, barrel band, etc. are made of what appears to be brass. I can find no reference of Trapdoor Carbines having brass fittings in my limited research that I have been able to complete. Can anyone please help me with any information regarding these carbines having brass fittings?

Many Thanks!

[Dick Hosmer]

Can you post photos? Seeing the entire gun, in context, should provide further clues.

The brass parts would have to be (a) plated (have you tested them with a magnet?) for show (b) taken off another gun or (c) home-made. I am comfortable in stating that NO TDs ever left SA originally with brass furniture.

[foxfirerodandgun]

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Can you post photos? Seeing the entire gun, in context, should provide further clues.

The brass parts would have to be (a) plated (have you tested them with a magnet?) for show (b) taken off another gun or (c) home-made. I am comfortable in stating that NO TDs ever left SA originally with brass furniture.

The fittings ARE magnetic and appear to be very old.

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[foxfirerodandgun]

Here are a few more images.

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[Johnny P]

In a nearby town we had a facility that manufactured lighting fixtures. At night the plating shop did a big business in employees plating just about everything. The local gunsmith got quite a few revolvers that had been plated and wouldn't go back together.

Like Dick, I suspect a plating job.

[foxfirerodandgun]

In a nearby town we had a facility that manufactured lighting fixtures. At night the plating shop did a big business in employees plating just about everything. The local gunsmith got quite a few revolvers that had been plated and wouldn't go back together.

Like Dick, I suspect a plating job.

YEP!! I just checked for myself, and did not take the word of the owner, and they are definitely magnetic!

Mystery solved!

Many Thanks To All!!

James

[Dick Hosmer]

I'm truly sorry Fox - nothing personal in the following.

That is a real tragedy, having been horrendously over-cleaned by some freaking idiot.

It appears to be a completely straight - if heavily worn - 1st model carbine in a great serial range. I see zero wrong parts or anomalies.

Guys, that could be the poster child for what you do NOT want to do to an old gun. The whitish appearance hurts the eyes.

Some will take this as total heresy, but I would work that over with a mix of cold brown and cold blue until the metal at least looked "old" again. That would not be hurting it at all - the damage is done. VERY rarely do I recommend this course of action, and you would certainly have to disclose the artificial aging to any prospective purchaser.

[raymeketa]

That almost looks like it could be cheap Gold Plating as done with one of the old hobby kits using a couple of batteries for the electrical charge.

Man, it sure looks snazzy and I bet the owner showed it with pride. But, as Dick said, what a tragedy!! That carbine, if left original, would demand a high premium today. I used to collect carbines and even it would have been a very nice addition to my collection.

Ray

[DRAGONFLYDF]

suxs about the finish, I wish I had that stock for my Carbine, it is in the 369** serial range

[Dick Hosmer]

suxs about the finish, I wish I had that stock for my Carbine, it is in the 369** serial range

Could you please send me the whole s/n for the database, or have I already asked you? CRS! :-(

[DRAGONFLYDF]

You all ready have it...
http://www.jouster.com/forums/showth...gfield-Carbine

[foxfirerodandgun]

I'm truly sorry Fox - nothing personal in the following.

That is a real tragedy, having been horrendously over-cleaned by some freaking idiot.

It appears to be a completely straight - if heavily worn - 1st model carbine in a great serial range. I see zero wrong parts or anomalies.

Guys, that could be the poster child for what you do NOT want to do to an old gun. The whitish appearance hurts the eyes.

Some will take this as total heresy, but I would work that over with a mix of cold brown and cold blue until the metal at least looked "old" again. That would not be hurting it at all - the damage is done. VERY rarely do I recommend this course of action, and you would certainly have to disclose the artificial aging to any prospective purchaser.

Not to worry. Your comments pretty much reflects my thoughts and opinions too. I wonder if the plating could be removed without doing more damage to the metal surfaces?

[foxfirerodandgun]

Any opinions from anyone as to what you may feel would be a realistic value of this carbine?

Many Thanks!
James

[11mm]

Plating can be reversed electro-chemically by a competent plating shop. Of course, then you'd have to face the possibility the carbine was polished heavily before the plating was done, and in any case, some sort of protective bluing would be needed to protect the polished metal after the plating was removed. On the other hand, it could not look worse than it does now, in my opinion..

[Sunray]

Looks like electro-plating to me. Seems to me there used to be hobby kits you could buy.