1884 Sporter

[gunluvver]

My 1884 was purchased with a cut down stock. The metal and bore are in nice condition with some bluing wear. I found a nice stock at Al Frasca's site and sent off my ducats. Here's some pics of what I have to work with:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor001.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor002.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor004.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor005.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor006.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor008.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor009.jpg

Can anyone give me a production date from the S/N? How about the buttplate markings, are they unit markings?

[JimF in CT]

Serial # struck in the second quarter (Apr.-June) of 1890. --Jim

[John Sukey]

Noticed someone also sanded the snot out of it since the inspectors cartouche is also missing.
Early in the last century Bannermans was offering trapdoors for $1.50 and "sporterized" ones for another buck.

I wonder if those butt markings stood for Company K, 28th infantry?
Just a WAG.

[cafdfw]

I think it's a nice looking rifle with a history of it's own, even if it's not a valuable collector piece.

Thanks for sharing, and great photos!

~ Harlan

[gunluvver]

The stock that Al Frasca has is a field replacement stock with acceptance but no inspector marks. I'll only need to find a cleaning rod when I get the stock. I'll post pics when it's together. It will be a good shooter, and I plan to use it as one. Here's the link to the stock I'm getting. It's the first one pictured.

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/TrapdoorStocks.html

[JimF in CT]

Are you SURE the barrel has NOT been shortened?
Does the front sight appear as original SA installation? --Jim

[gunluvver]

It's full length, with the original front sight base and a removable blade. The shadows of the original bands and stock are still there.

[gunluvver]

Here it is installed in an original stock. Ed Knisely has the cleaning rod, so off goes another Benjamin to get it here!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor010.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor011.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor012.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor013.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor014.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor015.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/gunluvver/Trapdoor/trapdoor016.jpg