The last chapter of the Trapdoor rifles -serial number 561529 dated 1893.

[drm2m]

Serial number-561529

Model 1884 -this particular model of 1884 was also known as “Model 1888 US Trapdoor Rifle” or “Ramrod bayonet model” or Model 1889.


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC09000.jpg

This was the last model of the Springfield Trapdoor long arms.

Manufactured between 1889-1893 serial numbers ran from 500,000 to 565,000- total
production -65,000 guns.

This particular rifle was manufactured in 1893.

Markings:
- Left side of stock opposite the lock plate inspectors cartouche "SWP" (Samuel W. Porter) over 1893.
-Circle cartouche on the underside of pistol grip with a faint “P” in the center.
-US on butt plate tang, “33” on stock just forward of butt plate tang.
-“US SPRINGFIELD” on lock plate.
-Left side of barrel forward of the breech -VP over Eagle over P.


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC09001.jpg


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC09022.jpg


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/CroppedResizedModelandSerialNumber0.jpg


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC08612.jpg


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC09010.jpg


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC09034.jpg


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/CroppedResizedTangUSmarking022.jpg



Sling:

U.S. M1887, marked with "Rock Island Arsenal" and inspection stamp "E.H.S." for E.H. Schmitten Leather Goods, Rock Island.
The sling is also marked "AEA”, for “Army Executive Agent” for insensitive munitions.


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC08627.jpg


http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC08625.jpg


David

[drm2m]

Sling stuff.

The two photos below show the AEA marking on the U.S. M1887 sling for the Trapdoor rifle.

” AEA.” (Army Executive Agent for Insensitive Munitions)

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/AEAslingmarkingDSC03598.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC03585.jpg

I did not want to disassemble the sling for the photos for fear of damaging the leather so the pics are not as clear as they might be.


“ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL”
Inspector’s stamp” E.H.S,” (E.H. Schmitten Leather Goods, Rock Island, IL)



http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/drm2m/DSC08627.jpg


David

[John Sukey]

Did you know there was a .30 cal trapdoor? Alphabeticaly numbered when they were testing out the replacement round for the 45-70.
And before anyone says BS, I once had a breechblock for one. Firing pin hole much smaller and the block was shaped differently, though still for a trapdoor.

[drm2m]

John....no I did not know that.
Perhaps someone else might be able to relate to this?

David

[BarryinIN]

Thanks for sharing. One the first, or one of the last, of anything is pretty neat to see.

I had read something about .30-40 trapdoors somewhere, like maybe a handful were made in working up the cartridge design, but I sure have never seen one.
I want to say I've read there is one at the SA National Historical Center, but could be imagining things there.

[John Sukey]

Well since they were numbered alphabeticaly, there would be a very small number. (not alphanumeric but just letters of the alphabet.

At least now I have an idea how the damm sling fits! I have a copy, but unfortunately its too SHORT:eek:

[AKA Hugh Uno]

I had one offered to me and it was very nice rifle. Despite my lack of expertise, it was almost certainly the real-deal (they made more barrels than complete rifles-apparently and there is some fakery about). I think Joe Salter ended up with it. Price was 7500 if I recall correctyly (about 8 years ago).

[Lone PIne]

My brother's Model 1884 Trapdoor is # 520518 . He is just starting to learn more about it. Thanks for the information.

[A square 10]

mine is 522516 , ive not messed with my sling eather because its so delicate , but it needs to be refitted correctly ,

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r188/Asquare10/mikesrifles137.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r188/Asquare10/mikesrifles138.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r188/Asquare10/mikesrifles139.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r188/Asquare10/mikesrifles136.jpg

[Hank Stone]

I never post about guns?But I couldn't resist posting on this valuable rifle.

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/cal30.html

[Jim K]

FWIW, I have 524856, cartouche date 1891.

As in most cases, the .30 Army (.30-40) cartridge was developed before the rifle was selected, so all the testing was done with modified TD rifles.

Incidentally, the officer who selected .30 for testing (and set the US Army standard for the next 80 years) was once asked why he picked that caliber. His reply was that it seemed like a nice round number. So much for ballistics, research, and so on.

Jim

[A. F Medic]

I was emailed about a TD that a fellow vet owns. I had placed images of it in a prior post. Its' serial number is 565430

[Tom in N.J.]

I have a Model 1884 Type 2 cadet rifle, 1893, #564257. One piece trigger guard with sling swivels. I believe the last of the last were made up for school use. Checking Waite / Ernst, I see the last 4320 rifles made were cadet rifles.

[Rafsob]

This is my addition to your post. She is serial number 503800:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i249/lstolk/My%20Guns/84Trapdoor.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i249/lstolk/My%20Guns/84Trapdoor-9.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i249/lstolk/My%20Guns/84Trapdoor-4.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i249/lstolk/My%20Guns/84Trapdoor-7.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i249/lstolk/My%20Guns/84Trapdoor-1.jpg

As of right now, I shoot only black powder in her. She is very accurate for a gun that is over 110 years old. I picked this beauty up about 8 yrs ago for $500. The barrel has a nice patina to it. But when I removed the stock from the barrel, the underside of the barrel was a beautiful blue. I believe she was made in 1889.