1884 Trapdoor Springfield

highpower3006 · January 6, 2013, 07:08 PM

Just traded for this 1884 Trapdoor. I had one of these many years ago and have regretted selling it almost as soon as I let it go. This one came my way via a trade for a handgun that I haven't used in years and really had no real use for.

Anyway, this is as nice a trapdoor as I have ever seen. I would rate the wood at 98% and while the metal has generous traces of bluing with the rest being basically a smooth patina, you can tell it is mostly just due to some age and handling. The cartouches are crisp and it bears the marks of having been issued to the New Jersey State Militia. The bore is bright and has sharp rifling.

Marks on the forestock in the first picture are actually fingerprints.

highpower3006 · January 6, 2013, 07:12 PM

More pictures:

SIGSHR · January 6, 2013, 08:26 PM

An excellent find.

apmcdaniel · January 7, 2013, 01:46 AM

Looks great!

Sent from my iPad via Tapatalk HD

sc928porsche · January 7, 2013, 02:28 PM

Looks like its time to start loading with black powder.

**James K** · January 7, 2013, 03:28 PM

That is a real beauty. While black powder would be ideal in many ways, I have seen a few guns damaged by the cleanup efforts. I would hate to think of a gun like that being subjected to the boiling water treatment.

There are plenty of good lead bullets and smokeless powder loads that will be perfectly OK in that gun should the OP choose to fire it.

Jim

SIGSHR · January 7, 2013, 07:08 PM

A gem like that should only be fired with black powder, IMHO, that 120 year old metal is really not up to higher burning temperatures and pressures.
Cleaning a breechloader with boiling water is much easier than cleaning a muzzle loader, cork the muzzle, set the rifle at an angle, pour the water into the breech, let it sit for a few minutes, then uncork, drain, brush, dry, oil.

kraigwy · January 8, 2013, 10:01 AM

That's really a nice looking rifle.

The "NJ" stamped on the receiver has got my curiosity up.

Prior to WWI or after the deployments of NG troops during the Spanish American War, Governors had more control of their National Guard units.

When the Army came out with a new rifle (this occurred up and through the Krags, I don't know about the Springfields) a few rifles would be sent to each Governor of respective states and territories. These were so the Governor could check them out before they were issued to NG units. Of course what ever happened to these guns was depended on the Governor.

I read reports of the Colorado Governor giving one of his Krags to a newspaper guy who didin't know much about shooting and his writing started the Krag out with bad reviews.

Anyway, Seeing the NJ stamp makes me wonder about your rifle. If It was me, I would drop a letter off the the New Jersey Dept of Military Affairs to see if they keep a history of these rifles.

Maybe you could find some interesting information about your rifle.

Hunter Customs · January 8, 2013, 10:12 AM

That's a nice old rifle.
I have one complete with bayonet.
I don't shoot mine, however I bought some cowboy loads that's claimed to be safe in them.
I considered taking it deer hunting, but I never have.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

jrothWA · January 8, 2013, 10:39 PM

as when the rifle is vertical all the "U's" will read correctly.

Very Nice condition aare you going to use commercial ammo? reloads with Cowboy data? or blackpowder??

Just at local shop and they have a H&R Commemorative Carbine model and it would LOOK NICE over my fireplace!

Enjoy!

January 6, 2013, 07:08 PM	#1
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 222	1884 Trapdoor Springfield Just traded for this 1884 Trapdoor. I had one of these many years ago and have regretted selling it almost as soon as I let it go. This one came my way via a trade for a handgun that I haven't used in years and really had no real use for. Anyway, this is as nice a trapdoor as I have ever seen. I would rate the wood at 98% and while the metal has generous traces of bluing with the rest being basically a smooth patina, you can tell it is mostly just due to some age and handling. The cartouches are crisp and it bears the marks of having been issued to the New Jersey State Militia. The bore is bright and has sharp rifling. Marks on the forestock in the first picture are actually fingerprints. Last edited by highpower3006; January 6, 2013 at 07:48 PM.

January 7, 2013, 02:28 PM	#5
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,324	Looks like its time to start loading with black powder. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

January 7, 2013, 03:28 PM	#6
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,416	That is a real beauty. While black powder would be ideal in many ways, I have seen a few guns damaged by the cleanup efforts. I would hate to think of a gun like that being subjected to the boiling water treatment. There are plenty of good lead bullets and smokeless powder loads that will be perfectly OK in that gun should the OP choose to fire it. Jim __________________ Jim K

January 8, 2013, 10:01 AM	#8
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8,606	That's really a nice looking rifle. The "NJ" stamped on the receiver has got my curiosity up. Prior to WWI or after the deployments of NG troops during the Spanish American War, Governors had more control of their National Guard units. When the Army came out with a new rifle (this occurred up and through the Krags, I don't know about the Springfields) a few rifles would be sent to each Governor of respective states and territories. These were so the Governor could check them out before they were issued to NG units. Of course what ever happened to these guns was depended on the Governor. I read reports of the Colorado Governor giving one of his Krags to a newspaper guy who didin't know much about shooting and his writing started the Krag out with bad reviews. Anyway, Seeing the NJ stamp makes me wonder about your rifle. If It was me, I would drop a letter off the the New Jersey Dept of Military Affairs to see if they keep a history of these rifles. Maybe you could find some interesting information about your rifle. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Oct '78 Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 8, 2013, 10:39 PM	#10
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 1,813	The rear barrel band needs to be flipped over, as when the rifle is vertical all the "U's" will read correctly. Very Nice condition aare you going to use commercial ammo? reloads with Cowboy data? or blackpowder?? Just at local shop and they have a H&R Commemorative Carbine model and it would LOOK NICE over my fireplace! Enjoy!

January 6, 2013, 07:12 PM	#2
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 222	More pictures:

January 6, 2013, 08:26 PM	#3
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 2,587	An excellent find.

January 7, 2013, 01:46 AM	#4
apmcdaniel Junior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1	Looks great! Sent from my iPad via Tapatalk HD

January 7, 2013, 07:08 PM	#7
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 2,587	A gem like that should only be fired with black powder, IMHO, that 120 year old metal is really not up to higher burning temperatures and pressures. Cleaning a breechloader with boiling water is much easier than cleaning a muzzle loader, cork the muzzle, set the rifle at an angle, pour the water into the breech, let it sit for a few minutes, then uncork, drain, brush, dry, oil.

January 8, 2013, 10:12 AM	#9
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 1,253	That's a nice old rifle. I have one complete with bayonet. I don't shoot mine, however I bought some cowboy loads that's claimed to be safe in them. I considered taking it deer hunting, but I never have. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com