1884 Trapdoor Picked up today

[Tkacook]

I purchased this rifle at a show today for $450. The lock was missing the mainspring, which I had. The cleaning rod is missing and the stack and sling swivels are missing. The bore is beautiful and the rifle appears to be in great shape.

Serial Number is 492118. There is a SWP 1890 cartouche. I already replaced the mainspring and it has a very nice 3 click tumbler.

How did I do? Comments welcome.

Tkacook

[Tkacook]

A few more pictures.

[IditarodJoe]

Congrats! Looks like you did REALLY well! We should all be so lucky . . .

[Major Tom]

Nice rifle! And, you didn't chip any wood when replacing the mainspring! Good job!

[Tkacook]

Thank you for the comments so far. I am happy with it. The Buffington sight was frozen, but is working freely now. It just need a bit of oil. Can't wait to try it out. I want to cast some of the 500 grainers to test this one.

[DRAGONFLYDF]

mine loves 405 gr lead bullets. I have 2 trapdoors that go to the range very often.

[IditarodJoe]

Does anyone here have a recommendation for good commercially available ammo to feed a .45-70 trapdoor? Who manufactures high quality black powder rounds that mimic the original?

[oscars]

Try Buffalo Arms. I have bought 45-70 black owder in the past

[Tkacook]

Can anyone do a SRS search on that serial number?

I found an original cupped cleaning rod. Really completes the rifle.

[blackhawknj]

IIRC on another board a very similar rifle was identified as a cadet rifle, hence the missing swivels and cleaning rod are "correct".

[Tkacook]

Maybe Dick Hosmer can chime in. The barrel length and stock tell me it's not. Maybe I'm missing something.

[Dick Hosmer]

OP is correct, that is a full-length rifle, with 32-5/8" barrel, made towards the end of production of that model, prior to the rod-bayonet type. Cadet rifles have 29-5/8" barrels, proportionately shorter cleaning rods, thinner/lighter stocks and (at least as originally made) no swivels at all - except for the very last ones which utilized the one-piece trigger guard of the rod-bayonet model. Nice find.

[bruce]

Beautiful rifle! Anyone would be proud to own it... shoot it! Sincerely. bruce.

[Tkacook]

Thanks for the kind words. I do intend to shoot it very soon.

I found an original cleaning rod and front band.