Springfield Trapdoor Information

[pjohn]

I did not know about the thanks button and I am saddened by my lack of consideration. My only excuse is I am new to this forum and did not see the button.

I am working on the requested information and will comply with your requests.

I've been shooting this rife and I've enjoyed it immensely. I am presently reloading cartridges with black powder and 405 gn bullets to ascertain results.

Sorry again.

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.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Yup, black hole effect again!

[Dick Hosmer]

Attachment 68069Attachment 68070Not knowing your last digit prevents a completely accurate answer, but I can tell you that 320081 was one of the 1,000 experimental M1884 rod-bayonet rifles, so, at the very least you are in the right ballpark. Records are available for about 20% of them, and they span almost 4000 numbers, so consecutives are few and far between. Nearly all of them were rebuilt, at SA, to the new M1888 standard which had a much more secure latch. Usually such rebuilds have the new one-piece trigger guard, and a "proper" date, such as 1891, 1892, etc. However there is more wood in the earlier stock (it is about 1/8" longer and the rod groove is MUCH narrower) so it would have been possible to convert one. The wood differences are a huge barrier to anyone trying to fake the rare variety, of course! The originals are VERY rare, but the rebuilds bring no more money than a standard Model 1888 - but they are a curiosity and/or conversation piece. FWIW, my (original) M1884XRB is number 318991.

[pjohn]

Thanks for all the info.

I really enjoy shooting this rifle and have begun loading black powder cartridges for it. Once hunting season is over, I will spend more time experimenting with loads at different ranges.

[Patrick Chadwick]

"Not knowing your last digit prevents a completely accurate answer..."


Looks like a 6 to me, so the complete number is 320086. Does that help?

[Dick Hosmer]

Ooops - you know, it was late at night, and I admit to not looking at the additional pictures, not thinking they would make a difference. Actually, they don't change my answer, other than to add that the rifle is in well above average condition.

[pjohn]

Just to confirm. The serial number is 320086.

Thanks for all the help.

[pjohn]

I was cleaning the rifle and for the first time noted at the base of the trapdoor lid was a stamped:
"US
Model
1879"

Quotation marks mine.

What does this mean?

[pjohn]

US Model 1878

[Dick Hosmer]

Further correction (sorry):

NO rifles were ever marked "1878", though it is an easy mistake because some really do look as if they are. However, in ALL cases, the last digit is a too-deep "3". It is not clear whether this was due to a bad die, too much pressure, block slightly "out of gauge" (too thick) or what. Also, it is entirely proper to see the 1873 date well into 1887, as older blocks - which were identical save for the date - were used until supply was exhausted. The "1884" blocks appear well after the adoption of the model change, which basically referred to the new "Buffington" rear sight, as nothing else was changed at that time.