1868 trapdoor sporter

[rpchachee]

hello all. first time posting. love all the good info on this site. anyways. just picked up a sporterized 1868 trapdoor Springfield a few weeks ago. couldnt pass it up for the money. good working condition. stock cut down of course. original sights removed. goofy looking peep sight added. didnt think it was too big a deal for the price. got it home and inspected it closer. noticed the barrel was sleeved for a smaller caliber. it was supoosed to be a .50-70. its now somewhere in the .38 pistol cartridge range i think. bore is around .365 as best i can tell. chamber is only cut about .9 inches before you hit rifling. cant say for sure but im thinking .38 smith and wesson short or .38 colt short. so my question is has anyone ever ran across a trapdoor that had been sleeved for a smaller caliber and if so what caliber was it is? ive looed at hundred of sportered trapdoors on the internet over the past couple weeks and i have yet to find one that wasnt still in the orignial caliber. thank you all!

Information

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[Daan Kemp]

What did the previous owner say?

We need pictures to assist you.

[rpchachee]

previous owner was no help. said he obtained the rifle from either his grandfather or his wifes grandfather who was an avid hunter who went on multiple trips all over america and one or two to africa. he didnt know anything about. probably why i got such a good price. he didnt want it taking up room and wanted to get rid of it to someone who would appreciate it more than he. so no help there. ill try and post pics later today.

[rpchachee]

My mistake. Bore measures .357 to .359. Somewhere in between there. I'm bad with measuring calipers. Lol.

[rpchachee]

Pics. Hopefully. Lol

[browningautorifle]

Interesting old piece for sure. I'd slug the bore to be sure what caliber and then if its truly a .357 I would see to it I could use at least 38 Spl...and get to work shooting it. I'd want more conventional sights though. It's waiting for resurrection.

[rpchachee]

Not sure about .38 special. I don't have a .38 special round laying about to check but it seems to me that it would be a bit too long to fit correctly in the chamber. Could be wrong tho. Does anyone think it's worth to sort of fix it up to original shape? Being rechambered and all I mean.

[browningautorifle]

fix it up to original shape

You'd have to sink lots into it. You need everything.

I'd cut a 38 Spl chamber if it was me but then I have the reamer.

[rpchachee]

I figure a replacement stock would be the worst thing to try and obtain. I don't mean a full on restoration. Just give it back that "look" ya know?

[rcathey]

I’d second the 38 special idea. That would be just too cool in a trapdoor.

I take it you got a good deal on it as a cut down 50-70.

In my opinion this would translate to a fantastic price for a unique 38 Special Trapdoor.