+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: 45/70 Springfield Trapdoor Carbine Information

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    johno1642's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Last On
    07-03-2014 @ 02:39 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    2
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    11:55 AM

    45/70 Springfield Trapdoor Carbine Information

    Hi Guys
    I recently purchase a Trapdoor Carbine over here in the UKicon and am keen to find out some information on its history.
    Serial number is 42284 and I am told it could possibly be what is known as a Custer period rifle? Not sure about this as I dont know too much about them.
    The stock is the long wrist stock and the sight has rivet mountings. Also the action has three stages and it has the saddle ring fitted.

    Not sure how to put photos on yet.

    Any help or info is greatly appreciated.
    Tim
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last On
    06-25-2023 @ 06:36 AM
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    5,032
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    12:55 PM
    According to my information, serial number 42284 would have been produced in 1875. About 20,000 carbines were produced in 1873-5, but just about none in 1876. So yes, "Custer period" - with the 20,000 others.
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 07-02-2014 at 05:35 PM.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    johno1642's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Last On
    07-03-2014 @ 02:39 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    2
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    11:55 AM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks for the info. I don't suppose you know where I can find info on the serial number. Such as where it was issued, units, how it may have ended up in the Uk etc

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:55 AM
    When Englandicon was in emergency at the beginning of the second war, the call went out in the US for "Guns for England" and everything you can name was collected up, turned in and sent over. There have been guns from single action army Colts onward, and every type of rifle and shotgun known to man that have been associated with this...
    Regards, Jim

  7. Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Legacy Member EO1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    12-14-2021 @ 11:05 PM
    Posts
    19
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:55 AM
    PM sent

  9. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Rafsob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last On
    07-17-2016 @ 12:25 PM
    Location
    Hayes, Va.
    Posts
    16
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:55 AM

    Wink

    Did you have it checked to verify it is an original carbine and not a cut down? Lot of rifles were cut down back in the day. There are many different items to check to complete this check. I'm no expert, but there are guys out there who can help in this matter. That serial number makes it ripe for tampering due to prices!!!

    Good luck.

  10. #7
    Legacy Member rayg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Last On
    03-08-2024 @ 08:57 AM
    Location
    US
    Posts
    1,053
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:55 AM
    I have a copy of a article on Custer guns from the 1974 edition of the Arms Gazette magazine that mentions the serial numbers of some of the re-captured Indian guns taken at the Little Big Horn battle and one of the Carbines listed is serial number #42259. That is pretty close to yours but the guns were shipped to the 7th Cav in crates of 20 having intermixed serial numbers with no sequence of serial numbers in the crates. The only way one can be sure a carbine was there is if it has proven documentation. Your carbine is at least identified as a possible Custer carbine. Some high 42000 serial numbers were identified as shpped to Custer's "C" company and Benteen's D, I, and K. Ray
    I just posted about the carbine I have that is also a possible like yours here,
    Possible 7th Cav Custer carbine
    Last edited by rayg; 07-26-2014 at 09:53 AM.

  11. #8
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 12:49 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,839
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:55 AM
    Like what Ray says, I think if you went through the Crow nation houses on the Bighorn reserve, you'd find more battlefield pickups that anywhere in the world. I think most of the Custer guns reside within a few mile radius of the battlefield.
    Regards, Jim

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Springfield 1873 Trapdoor help please.
    By Inverted99 in forum Other U.S. Service Rifles
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 02-19-2012, 10:14 PM
  2. Springfield Trapdoor
    By coneten in forum Other U.S. Service Rifles
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-27-2011, 10:03 PM
  3. 1866 Springfield Trapdoor
    By ei276b in forum Black Powder
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-20-2011, 04:56 PM
  4. Repairing The Trapdoor Springfield Carbine
    By Newsfeed Hound in forum The Watering Hole OT (Off Topic) Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-09-2011, 03:30 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks