This is a Model 1873 Trapdoor that belonged to my grandfather. It has been in the family as long as I can remember, and now it has been passed on to me. I have always just assumed that the black paint(?) that is flaking off here and there was applied by my grandfather many years ago. However, a friend who was visiting recently saw it on the wall and told me it was 'amazing' that it had that much 'original bluing' left on it. I told him it was probably painted years ago, but he was adamant that the still glossy blackness was original finish. I'm very skeptical, and can find no reference to a black paint like finish on these rifles. But I have been wrong before! Hope the pics show well.
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