Springfield Trapdoor Bannerman Special - Might be a Shooter

[Patrick Chadwick]

"Year of Manufacture: Unknown (1889-1990 ???)"

Well it seems to be the

US
Model
1878

- you can just make out the marking on the block! ´See Frasca/Hill "The 45-70 Springfield" p.158.

Serial number is 479952
- produced in 1890
1889 ended at 470246
1890 ended at 502492
so linear interpolation suggest a date of manufacture March-April 1890.

BUT this number would have been a Model 1884, and the Buffington sight had long been introduced (1885).
So I suspect this is some kind of mixture.

Maybe a real Trapdoor expert can say something about the markings?

P.S: the band is the wrong way around. The U (= UP) must be so that it is the right way up when the rifle is racked.

P.P.S: The spoon-shaped spring in the barrel channel provides friction to hold the ramrod in place.

P.P.P.S: Pages183-185 of Frasca/Hill list typical points to be checked on dubious Springfields. Note the 1890 "Lovell Specials" - that may be what you have acquired.

I would not be bothered by all this if the rifle is a good shooter. However, should you one day be inclined to pay serious money for a supposedly original Trapdoor, get the book first!