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7/31/2012 8:21:30 AM EDT
hello! have discovered a Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor in my moms basement and am trying to find out more about it.
wondering if anyone here could help!
appears to be chambered in 50-70, had the ssn ran and it was built in the last quarter of 1875, its in good shape considering the age and storage conditions.
no rust on it, but no bluing either. the bore is dark and with good rifling.
the mechanical function is excellent and tight.
stock looks good with a few small chips and scratches, only cartouche I could find is the (P maybe?) under and behind the receiver.
butt plate had something there but is mostly worn off.
on the metal there are two cartouches pictured and a "U" on each of the barrel bands.

I cant seem to find any info on the cartouches
any help or info would be appreciated.







7/31/2012 7:29:10 PM EDT
[#1]
Should be .45-70 not .50-70. Looks like its had a fair amount of rust in the past. But overall looks pretty solid.

These are good shooters. They can be quite accurate, too.

Dutch
7/31/2012 7:55:11 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Should be .45-70 not .50-70. Looks like its had a fair amount of rust in the past. But overall looks pretty solid.

These are good shooters. They can be quite accurate, too.

Dutch


hmmm...i couldnt find my calipers (one of the kids ran off with it I think) but i dropped a .451 bullet in the bore are it went in.
i understood these were chambered in 45-70 or 50-70.
8/1/2012 2:18:42 AM EDT
[#3]
The m/1873 was not chambered in .50-70 Gov't. The m/1873 is .45-70 Gov't.

There are 2 previous models of the Trapdoor and both are .50-70. Both are so-called Allin conversion rifles.

The bore diameters of these rifles are notoriously oversize. Bullets of .463" are commonly used. I'm not surprised a .451" bullet drops in. That means nothing as its not the correct bullet size for this rifle anyway.

Dutch
8/1/2012 7:33:51 AM EDT
[#4]
Nice find.
8/1/2012 10:44:44 AM EDT
[#5]
Nice rifle, your lucky nobody touched it..  I bought a 1873 trapdoor that had been sporterized at some time in its distant past.     The bore of mine slugs at .462 and .461/462 slugs key hole for me at 50 yards.  I'm going to lap the mold until I drop bullets at .464-.465 and head to the range again.
8/1/2012 11:44:34 AM EDT
[#6]
unfortunetly is sounds like my mom wants to sell it off at more then i have to dedicate to a new gun at the moment
but i would love to be able to shoot it! already love taking my M1 garand deer hunting, and have a 7.7 arisaka on deck for this season!
I told her she could give it to me...she said i already have too many guns
8/3/2012 6:34:23 PM EDT
[#7]
Make mom an offer.  I bought a 1873 many years ago and its a rifle I will never sell even though its worth many times more than I paid for it.
 
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