need help from trapdoor collectors, about fencing model

[akolleth]

So I am new to trapdoors and was at a military show and saw what I thought was a neat project for really cheap ($150) but missing a lot of parts. Figured I would get the parts together eventually to bring it back to life, albeit as a mixmaster. 1881 dated stock, 1873 action. Breech block has the cam, but missing the lever part of the cam. no firing pin, no lock assembly. Im a sucker for project guns and trying to bring them back to life.

Well when I got it home I noticed there amongst the protective grease on the barrel was two small holes at the end of the barrel on the right side that I didn't see before (plugged with grease, so mostly obscured).

Doing some research seems I bought a fencing model trapdoor. Which seems to be a surplus trapdoor that the government shortened the barrel, drilled holes in the end for a fake bayonet to be attached, milled off the ejector tip , milled off the front barrel band swivel, and milled off the cam lever to "inactivate" it so it could be used for bayonet practice in the early 1900s.

Does anyone have any info on this other than what I seem to have found? Are they collectable at all?

Any idea on any value in it, or did I get hosed? Well not hosed per se, as I bought it without having the proper knowledge so it would be my fault. Any value in the parts at all?

Thanks

Information

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[rcathey]

I saw one sell in June with the “bayonet.”

It only brought $300.

[browningautorifle]

really cheap ($150)

a fencing model trapdoor.

did I get hosed

So, as a past US martial arms collector...I'd have loved to find the fencing models to go with the live models. They just don't exist. I wouldn't try to resurrect it, don't change it, just leave it as they modified it to the model it is. Yes, they're all collectible. Locally I found a pair of welded up muzzle loaders in an armory chained into a rack. One is a Brunswick fencing musket and I'd love to wrestle it from their clutches... This model has the collapsible spring loaded plunger. They neither know nor care what it is. If you grow to distain it, flog it at a profit...as is.

[free1954]

post a picture if you can.

[Dick Hosmer]

I too recommend leaving it as found, and begin searching for a bayonet. Here's a picture of mine - less bayonet, of which there are three patterns.

[free1954]

i agree with mr. Hosmer. it's a piece of history as it is. leave it be.