Calling Trapdoor Springfield owners

shafter · April 21, 2012, 07:27 PM

Good evening,

I am trying to disassemble an original Trapdoor Springfield, Model 1884. I have removed the barrel and the trigger guard but I'm wondering if there is anything I should worry about in removing the side plate. Does it just come right off or are there springs that can pop out if I remove it? I want to obtain some replacement parts because the hammer clicks as its being drawn back but when the trigger is pulled there it doesn't fall forward like it should.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

l.cutler · April 21, 2012, 07:41 PM

I guess you mean removing the lock? It should come right out, but there is a proper way to do it. Loosen the screws a few turns and remove the lock by lightly tapping the screw heads with a wooden mallet or something similar. This will loosen the lock without damaging the lock inlet in the stock. Your lock should cock back three clicks to the firing position, it may just be gummed up.

shafter · April 21, 2012, 07:44 PM

Thanks. I think there is something broken because the hammer is very sloppy. When it is fully down I can lift the muzzle towards the ceiling and the hammer will fall backwards. The plate seems very tight and I'm wondering if maybe something is broken near the mainspring which is causing it to put pressure against the stock. Sound plausible?

Hawg · April 21, 2012, 07:48 PM

The spring lug where it goes thru the lock plate is probably broken off. I had that problem with my 1884.

Hellgate · April 22, 2012, 08:27 PM

I had t replace my tumbler in a TD carbine and afterward there were only TWO positions of cock rather than the 3 on the original tumbler. Gun still works fine but it now has 1/2 and full cock only. Parts were from S&S Firearms.

shafter · April 24, 2012, 05:54 PM

Is the tumbler the little piece on the bottom of the mainspring?

Hellgate · April 24, 2012, 06:03 PM

I may not have this right (reliant on memory which is fallible): the tumbler has the notches cut into it to catch the trigger sear like the hammer on a revolver but is not part of the hammer. Any more than that I have to see an exploded diagram. It was at least 5 years ago that I did the repair.

shafter · April 24, 2012, 07:23 PM

Ok thanks. I think that's what I was thinking of.

pohill · April 24, 2012, 08:30 PM

I bought this reprinted manual for my 50-70. Maybe they have one for your model.
http://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/...hp?item_id=687

shafter · April 25, 2012, 08:19 PM

Thanks Pohil. I'll look into it.

April 21, 2012, 07:27 PM	#1
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Calling Trapdoor Springfield owners Good evening, I am trying to disassemble an original Trapdoor Springfield, Model 1884. I have removed the barrel and the trigger guard but I'm wondering if there is anything I should worry about in removing the side plate. Does it just come right off or are there springs that can pop out if I remove it? I want to obtain some replacement parts because the hammer clicks as its being drawn back but when the trigger is pulled there it doesn't fall forward like it should. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

April 22, 2012, 08:27 PM	#5
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	I had t replace my tumbler in a TD carbine and afterward there were only TWO positions of cock rather than the 3 on the original tumbler. Gun still works fine but it now has 1/2 and full cock only. Parts were from S&S Firearms. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

April 24, 2012, 06:03 PM	#7
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	I may not have this right (reliant on memory which is fallible): the tumbler has the notches cut into it to catch the trigger sear like the hammer on a revolver but is not part of the hammer. Any more than that I have to see an exploded diagram. It was at least 5 years ago that I did the repair. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

April 21, 2012, 07:41 PM	#2
l.cutler Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2005 Posts: 275	I guess you mean removing the lock? It should come right out, but there is a proper way to do it. Loosen the screws a few turns and remove the lock by lightly tapping the screw heads with a wooden mallet or something similar. This will loosen the lock without damaging the lock inlet in the stock. Your lock should cock back three clicks to the firing position, it may just be gummed up.

April 21, 2012, 07:44 PM	#3
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Thanks. I think there is something broken because the hammer is very sloppy. When it is fully down I can lift the muzzle towards the ceiling and the hammer will fall backwards. The plate seems very tight and I'm wondering if maybe something is broken near the mainspring which is causing it to put pressure against the stock. Sound plausible?

April 21, 2012, 07:48 PM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	The spring lug where it goes thru the lock plate is probably broken off. I had that problem with my 1884.

April 24, 2012, 05:54 PM	#6
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Is the tumbler the little piece on the bottom of the mainspring?

April 24, 2012, 07:23 PM	#8
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Ok thanks. I think that's what I was thinking of.

April 24, 2012, 08:30 PM	#9
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	I bought this reprinted manual for my 50-70. Maybe they have one for your model. http://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/...hp?item_id=687

April 25, 2012, 08:19 PM	#10
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Thanks Pohil. I'll look into it.