Model 1870 Springfield Trapdoor (Revision 2)

[browningautorifle]

The bore is shiny.

Wow, you never see that.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The barrel is slightly longer than 29 inches with two bands.

That is far too short for a proper rifle. Which makes one fear a cut-down. BUT it is about right for a Model 1869 Cadet rifle - which is actually rarer!
Please post good photos of the entire rifle, with detail photos of the action and any markings. The lack of a serial number is disturbing. And make a careful measurement of the barrel length!

[Entry Level]

Thanks I will. I went to the public range a lot when Mike was there even came to a turkey shoot with you guys. Good reason to go back. Thanks

[RCS]

Some 50 cal Cadet rifles were chambered for the 50 Carbine which has a cartridge case of 1.75 inches while other rifle were chambered for the 50-70. If the 50-70 cartridge is too long you should have a cadet rifle. The 50 carbine was also used in Remingtons and Sharps carbines.

I posted a photo of a few old US 50 cal cartridgesAttachment 98125

[Dick Hosmer]

Sorry, but the above post #14 is not entirely accurate. The only SA-made Cadet rifle with a short chamber was the scarce M1867 Navy rolling block. The other cadet models of 1867 and 1869, as well as the M1870 Carbine, had full-length chambers but used reduced loads. Also, it is the full-length .50-70 which has the 1.75" case - the .50-45 case for the Cadet (and the Remington-produced Navy Carbine) is shorter, and at least two variants are known. All these items are shown in my book, measured from examples in my personal collection.

[Entry Level]

Update for 1870 Trapdoor Springfield 50-70. I installed a new replica rear sight and a replacement original firing pin. Now I have a shooter. Loaded 10 rounds and had successful time at range. Will load again and shoot military benchrest match. It's totally fun to shoot this old beauty.

[Dick Hosmer]

We need to see pictures! "Model 1870" would NOT normally appear on a Model 1869 cadet rifle, which this seems to be.

This is one of those truly frustrating threads. The original poster has, despite several requests, never had the courtesy to post pictures. Along the way, he has been given advice ranging from ludicrous to quite accurate. He MIGHT have one of the 20 (yes 20!) M1869 Cadets assembled by SA long after the model had been discontinued, and whose true features are in some doubt, even among the experts. It would be nice to know, but, I suspect we never will.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The original poster has, despite several requests, never had the courtesy to post pictures.

Dick, one gets sadly used to the "I've got an old gun, what is it?" queries that are never followed up by proper information.

However, one perseveres for the sake of those who are seriously in search of knowledge and prepared to interact usefully with the rest of us.

[Entry Level]

Here are some pictures. 1870 trapdoor, no serial number, 50-70. Not a conversion.