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Thread: US Springfield Trapdoor M1884? Need help with Indentification

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    US Springfield Trapdoor M1884? Need help with Indentification

    Hey guys. I need help identifying what make and model I have here. I pulled it out of an estate sale and may be interested in selling it. See link below for pictures.

    I can't find any on the web with the funky inlays like this one has on the stock. The barrel is 31.75" from chamber to end. It's stamped "VP" on the barrel. That's all the identifying marks I could see. Any help with what identifying the exact model of this rifle and it's worth would be greatly appreciated. I know it's not much to go off of for you avid collectors out there but this is all I have at the moment. Thank you.

    US Springfield pictures by evanshowell - Photobucket
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Legacy Member sgabrie854's Avatar
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    You habe a model 1884 Springfield rifle that has had the stock "sporterized" (cut down), also looks like the trigger guard has been replaced. The inlays are somebodys work after the fact, has nothing to do with being "as issued"

    ---------- Post added at 06:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 AM ----------

    although if the barrel is ~ 29.6 inches, it was probably a cadet rifle so the trigger guard is ok.

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    Take a close look at the photo of the muzzle. Note the bright circumferential line about 1/2" down the barrel. It looks as if someone removed rust with the "steel-wire brush in an electric drill" method. Bye-bye rifling! Very, very sad. I just hope I'm wrong.

    If I'm right, value = usable parts.
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 05-29-2013 at 01:25 PM.

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    Legacy Member sgabrie854's Avatar
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    I can t see the mark, but the rifle as it stands is already worth the value of the parts as it has been heavily messed with. I would have to disagree with your general statement thou, if the rifling is gone, and its purpose was to be a shooter, then yes. However many collectors go for originilty of the piece, i.e. a Custer carbine with proven history and no rifiling at all and a cracked stock with rust, is still worth 6 figures!

    Steve

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    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sgabrie854 View Post
    I would have to disagree with your general statement thou, if the rifling is gone, and its purpose was to be a shooter, then yes.

    Perhaps I should have made it clear that my comments are generally those of a shooter, not a collector. Some of my best rifles are ones that collectors would sneer at (externally) but are excellent internally.
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 05-30-2013 at 08:08 AM.

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    Legacy Member sgabrie854's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick View Post
    Perhaps I should have made it clear that my comments are generally those of a shooter, not a collector. Some of my best rifles are ones that collectors would sneer at (externally) but are excellent internally.
    I agree. I shoot eveything I own, am not one to drop a huge sum of money on a wreck because someone claims they found it in a teepee!

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