Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor 45-70

[hcso617]

Just thought I pass on some pic's of my trapdoor, it's been in the family at least 90 years, not sure where my grandfather, a U.S. Army WW1 vet picked it up. It was given to me by my father in 1985. I shoot about 10 rounds through it per year. I don't have a sling or bayonet for it. Serial Number 2399XX.

Any comments appreciated.

Information

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[musketshooter]

The lock plate with a date is not correct for the rest of the rifle which is a much later date. By installing the correct plate, you will have a collectible rifle.

[OLDER THEN DIRT]

With the wrong lock plate, could it be a Bannerman?

[musketshooter]

It could be a Bannerman. you would have to compare the cartouches and determine if the barrel is three groove or 5 groove. Look for a paper filler in the barrel channel. Bannerman's have a circle R at the wrist instead of the circle P. CB

[5MadFarmers]

They're all "Bannermans."

Outside of the lock plate it's a bog standard 1884. The "Bannerman" guns were typically low (high arch) serial receivers and blocks. That one is late (low arch) so it's unlikely to be anything other than what it appears to be - an 1884 with an earlier lock plate. The stock is short wrist whereas the "Bannerman" guns were recovered musket stocks - long wrist. The "Bannerman" guns had shaved CW lock plates - typically marked with 1880s dates. That is an 1873 trapdoor lock plate. So I see absolutely nothing "Bannerman" about it. It appears to be a bog standard 1884 with an earlier (trapdoor, not recovered CW) lock plate. The "Bannerman" also tended to have musket hammers - that one has a late (correct for 1884) hammer.

Leave it be. The guns were made of interchangeable parts for a reason and your rifle just shows that parts were in fact interchangeable. If you insist on changing the lock plate for the later (no date) edition ensure you use a ton of lemon oil and let it soak in so as to not chip the wood in removing that one. The tolerances were very tight and many trapdoors show the chipping of metal removed from the stocks without careful preparation.

Nice rifle. The lock plate bothers me not at all.

[hcso617]

Thanks 5, The rifle has been in our family at least 90 years in this condition, and I plan on keeping it that way. Thanks again Merry Christmas

[5MadFarmers]

No problem. The guns were in the hands of the national guard/militia and I don't think they'd have gotten highly upset if the gun received an earlier lock plate as spare parts. The guns were tools.

Merry Christmas.

[Mohawk]

Thanks for sharing. Don't change a thing...Heirlooms are not meant to be messed with...Enjoy...