No Trapdoors for me today

sgms · September 25, 2017, 02:38 PM

Did you ever have one of those days? Got a phone call from a friend telling me that one of his co workers inherited a collection of trapdoor Springfield rifles

and was asking him what they were worth. Got together with them last night after 4 days of waiting to look at the collection and maybe buy one I don't have in my collection. 14 rifles and 2 carbines all in very good condition 3 of them parts guns, a couple of duplicates, of the rest unfortunately nothing I didn't already have. Plus side, I had a good evening talking about them and got to handle a bunch of great rifles, down side I ended leaving empty handed

.

Tidewater_Kid · September 25, 2017, 08:58 PM

Sad, but always fun to look at old guns! Trapdoors are one of my favorites.

sgms · September 26, 2017, 08:11 PM

Mine to, I love the indians wars stuff. Of course with all the modifications, piecing and parting the government did to save money, and the caliber changes it can really be a challenge to collect.

Tidewater_Kid · September 26, 2017, 09:53 PM

I have a few and missing a bunch. Still need a rod bayonet model.

sgms · September 27, 2017, 11:58 AM

very nice group you have there. I really need to try taking a group picture to. Currently I have the 2nd allen conversion, and models 1865,1866,1870 carbine, 1872 cadet rifle,3/ 1873's one with deep stamp so it read 1878 3rd. is another cadet rifle, 1884 rifle and carbine, and 1888 ramrod bayonet. I'd love to find a good forager and an model 1880 with a triangular ramrod bayonet at a price I could afford.

Tidewater_Kid · September 27, 2017, 10:03 PM

Would love to see pictures!

sgms · September 28, 2017, 07:39 PM

will have to see if i can get some.

James K · September 28, 2017, 08:08 PM

The rod bayonet worked reasonably well in the .45 caliber trapdoor. But when the idea was applied to the (original) .30 Model 1903, the rod had to be smaller to fit through the barrel and was not strong enough to use as a bayonet. So, back to the drawing board for the hard-working designers at Springfield.

Jim

Road_Clam · October 1, 2017, 08:45 AM

Proud owner of a really nice 1884 TD shooter. I've got my feet wet into 45-70 BPCR loading. Only issue with me is my very poor eyes and focusing on the skinny front sight that's 32" away ! Kicks real hard and smells antique wonderful with 65 gr of Goex 2FFG !!

sgms · October 2, 2017, 07:45 PM

I am with you thereRoad_Clam, there is just something about shooting those old rifles.

sgms · October 4, 2017, 08:09 PM

Well still no pictures have taken them now find that I have to resized them to post.

September 25, 2017, 02:38 PM	#1
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	No Trapdoors for me today Did you ever have one of those days? Got a phone call from a friend telling me that one of his co workers inherited a collection of trapdoor Springfield rifles and was asking him what they were worth. Got together with them last night after 4 days of waiting to look at the collection and maybe buy one I don't have in my collection. 14 rifles and 2 carbines all in very good condition 3 of them parts guns, a couple of duplicates, of the rest unfortunately nothing I didn't already have. Plus side, I had a good evening talking about them and got to handle a bunch of great rifles, down side I ended leaving empty handed.

October 1, 2017, 08:45 AM	#9
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	Proud owner of a really nice 1884 TD shooter. I've got my feet wet into 45-70 BPCR loading. Only issue with me is my very poor eyes and focusing on the skinny front sight that's 32" away ! Kicks real hard and smells antique wonderful with 65 gr of Goex 2FFG !! __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

September 25, 2017, 08:58 PM	#2
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Sad, but always fun to look at old guns! Trapdoors are one of my favorites.

September 26, 2017, 08:11 PM	#3
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	Mine to, I love the indians wars stuff. Of course with all the modifications, piecing and parting the government did to save money, and the caliber changes it can really be a challenge to collect.

September 27, 2017, 11:58 AM	#5
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	very nice group you have there. I really need to try taking a group picture to. Currently I have the 2nd allen conversion, and models 1865,1866,1870 carbine, 1872 cadet rifle,3/ 1873's one with deep stamp so it read 1878 3rd. is another cadet rifle, 1884 rifle and carbine, and 1888 ramrod bayonet. I'd love to find a good forager and an model 1880 with a triangular ramrod bayonet at a price I could afford.

September 27, 2017, 10:03 PM	#6
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Would love to see pictures!

September 28, 2017, 07:39 PM	#7
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	will have to see if i can get some.

September 28, 2017, 08:08 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The rod bayonet worked reasonably well in the .45 caliber trapdoor. But when the idea was applied to the (original) .30 Model 1903, the rod had to be smaller to fit through the barrel and was not strong enough to use as a bayonet. So, back to the drawing board for the hard-working designers at Springfield. Jim

October 2, 2017, 07:45 PM	#10
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	I am with you thereRoad_Clam, there is just something about shooting those old rifles.

October 4, 2017, 08:09 PM	#11
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	Well still no pictures have taken them now find that I have to resized them to post.