Springfield trapdoor question

[00Buck2]

I know several of you guys are a wealth of knowledge about other firearms beside S&W. I'm looking on a little info about this trapdoor.

When I got it I assumed it was an Model 1873 Springfield trapdoor, it is chambered in 45/70. Upon closer inspection I found a stamp on the top of the door behind the rear sight "US Model 1872". I know this piece was made after 1873 as the serial is in the 300,000 and places it around 1886.

This is my first trapdoor and I assumed the Model 1872 was the large caliber rolling block rifle.

Whats with the "US Model 1872" stamp?

 

[jlrhiner]

Well Buck, up until I looked at your pictures, I'd have sworn that there was no 1872 model. I'll do some digging in the morning, as now I'm interested.

 

[deadin]

You really need to take this over to The U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Information Center, That's where all the TD experts live...

 

[straightshooter1]

I got out of the collectibles in 2004 and sold all my books.

And, my memory seems to be going downhill, too, though I think it's just because there's so much in there bouncing around that the right stuff sometimes gets misplaced.

But I seem to recall that the 2 in your 1872 was, in actuality, an 8. I also recall that sometimes the 8 was worn to look like a 6.

That it is an 8 makes sense, at least a bit, by your serial number which would precede the Model 1888 yet be after the Model 1878.

But check that other site and find out for sure.

Bob

 

[deadin]

Another place you can go that you can post pictures is:
Trapdoor Rifles

 

[Alk8944]

The date stamp on that breechblock is 1878. The last digit is just poorly stamped!

 

[Sam McCord]

00Buck2,

Your breechblock inscription reads "U.S./ MODEL/ 1873" slashes denoting line breaks. There were only three ways the Model 1873 "trapdoor" breechblock was inscribed. Early, high arch blocks had "Model/ 1873/ Eagle head/ crossed arrows/ U.S. At approximately serial number 70,000 (~ 1876) the inscription was changed to what you have. Sometime during the 1886 manufacturing year the inscription was changed to U.S/ MODEL/ 1884.
I quote from The 45-70 Springfield by Frasca and Hill, "...it is believed that the model designation was changed because the numerous improvements and changes made since 1873 had materially changed the appearance as well as the mechanical function of the weapon."

It may look like a 2 or 6 or 8 but it's not, it's a 3. By the way, your serial number if close to 300,000 would place your rifle in 1885. Estimated year end serial number for 1885 was 306,006, 1886 was 346,727, 1887 was 387,596.

Hope this helps.

Sam

 

[mkk41]

The model/year on the breech block might not be the model of the rifle.

The breech block was an expensive part to manufacture. Therefore they were often reused on later production rifles and it's not uncommon to find a later rifle model with a breech block marked with a previous model year. I've seen factory original Model 1882 or 1884 with 1873 breech blocks or Model 1888 rifles with 1884 blocks.

Krags are in the same boat. The receivers were very complex to make and those in good shape were often reused to rebuild or build new later model rifles. The receiver will say Model 1894 , but the cartouche on the stock will read 1898 , 1900 , 1901 up to 1903.

 

[00Buck2]

Thanks for all the info, this ones serial is 303,59x That would put it right at the end of 1885 and close to the stamp change. Im sure, based on the responses I've had that its 1873 but it sure looks like 1872.

Thanks again