Tell me about the 1873 trapdoor Springfield I found

[shooter88]

Hello all. I found a Springfield Trapdoor rifle that says "U.S. Sprinfield 1883" on the side with a serial number of 45841 (can anyone SRS that please?). You can tell the rifle is old due to its patina but the wood is in very solid condition with no significant gouges or scratches. No rust that I saw. There are two cartouches on the left hand side. I'm assuming they are inspector stamps but the lettering is hard to make out. The trapdoor has "model 1873" stamped into the top which conflicts with the date stamped into the rifle. They want $1099 for it. I was thinking of trading some foreign milsurps I have as it would be a nice addition to my US milsurp collection. Can anyone tell me of anything else I should look for on it that would be correct? Anything I should be aware of given the information I just shared? Thanks.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Nothing even close with the serial number, except through that range they are all rifles... It sounds like a nice gun and I'd pay that for it.

[shooter88]

Nothing even close with the serial number, except through that range they are all rifles... It sounds like a nice gun and I'd pay that for it.

Thank you. When I look up "model 1883 Springfield Trapdoor", I don't get many results, and a lot of websites that I have looked at seem to even skip that year. Were these rifles made in 1883? Im wondering if the stamp was just done in a way that it looks like 1883. I also looked up the SN, and the chart I looked at puts it around 1873...?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Thank you. When I look up "model 1883 Springfield Trapdoor", I don't get many results, and a lot of websites that I have looked at seem to even skip that year. Were these rifles made in 1883? Im wondering if the stamp was just done in a way that it looks like 1883. I also looked up the SN, and the chart I looked at puts it around 1873...?

No great surprise. Before paying that kind of money for any rifle, get first-class information.

In particular, "The 45-70 Springfield" by Frasca & Hill. P181 ff. describes how obsolete (and condemned) parts were sold off and then used by private companies to assemble "bitser" Trapdoors, with early serial numbers being frequent to con the clueless into thinking that they were getting an early original! Google "Bannerman Arms" and see what comes up.

Yes, the book is expensive. Buying a fake is more expensive.

[browningautorifle]

There are a few here that will know off the top of their head and they'll be along...just don't give up. Keep looking back for your answer. I just happen to have the book on serial numbers.

[Gil Boyd]

Shooter,
If it helps all the SPRINGFIELD rifles from that period including the 1903's were all sold to either YC Guns or N.C in the States, from the Parker Hale records.
Sorry I can't clarify anymore detail on who exactly those dealers are Stateside, but your number does not feature in the list. Most went over between 1997 and 2000 when the first selling of PH occurred.
Buy the rifle not the history and give it a good look over, and if you are happy, and it is a still a firer (if thats what you want, and not a wall hanger) try to get someone your side of the pond to corroberate its past for you IMHO

[shooter88]

Thanks for the replies guys. I knew that figuring out its exact history would be a shot in the dark...figured I try anyway, you never know. I'm really more concerned about the "Springfield Model 1883" on the side by the hammer, but a S/N that puts it in the early 1870's (at least from what I can tell on the chart I looked at). In order for me to get this, its gonna require me to trade in a couple surplus rifles (including a Yugo capture K98k) for it. I just want to make sure the price is justified...which is looking to be the case.

[butlersrangers]

'shooter88' - The U.S. Armory at Springfield, Mass., did not put dates on the Trap-door Lock-Plates, except "1873", on #1 thru #80,000. Later, the lock-plates were stamped with just an Eagle and Springfield.

The breech-blocks are dated either Model 1873 (sometimes appears like '1878' due to poor Die strike) or Model 1884.

IIRC - 'Dated Lock-Plates', (other than legitimate 1873 ones), were made by surplus dealers (like Bannerman's) putting together parts guns in the 1920s & 30s.

You should be able to find a very fine, 'shootable', model 1873 Springfield rifle for well under $1,000 in the U.S.

IMHO - You should run away from this one! Buy a cheap Joe Poyer/Craig Reisch Book: "The .45-70 Springfield", by North Cape Publications, and educate yourself.

Save your money and shop informed. Springfield trap-door rifles are a bit of a 'sleeper' and very good ones can be found in the $700-800 range. Search GunBroker to get an idea of what they sell for.

Al Frasca (and his books) is a great authority on 'trapdoors. The U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Information Center

[browningautorifle]

$700-800 range

That's the difference between here and there. Here we have a trapdoor showing at waaaay over $1000 CDN and it's the only one we've seen in years. And $800 USD is $1015 CDN...so...I'd take it.

[butlersrangers]

FWIW - I picked up this relic model 1873 'trapdoor' Springfield at a local gun shop a couple of years ago for $100 (USD). Lots of paint splatter, surface rust, 'black hole' bore, broken firing-pin, no Lock, no butt-plate, no trigger guard assembly, and all the screws were missing.

When the bore cleaned up real good, I decided the rifle was worth salvaging. It took 1 & 1/2 years of careful cleaning and parts shopping, but, it all came together recently.

I had a lot of fun restoring this trapdoor and it is a decent 'shooter'. I probably have a total investment of $385 in the rifle, because, I was quite patient and frugal in procuring parts.

Some before, midway, and after pics:

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