Model 1870 Springfield Trapdoor (Revision 2)

[Entry Level]

Hello, I was looking at this rifle today and have waited to buy while I find out about this rifle. First, the price was 499 US dollars. Looking at reloading parts, brass dies bullets powder and such will add about 300 more dollars. The rifling was shiny not pitted hammer and striking parts looked ok. If someone could help me with what I should look at to find more info. I would appreciate the help. I do shoot a few old milsurps and a 45-70 black powder rifle so the genre is not new to me. It is a nice long barrel 50-70, trap door that looks like it could be fun. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks and Merry Christmas

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[Entry Level]

Hello, I was looking at this rifle today and have waited to buy while I find out about this rifle. First, the price was 499 US dollars. Looking at reloading parts, brass dies bullets powder and such will add about 300 more dollars. The rifling was shiny not pitted hammer and striking parts looked ok. If someone could help me with what I should look at to find more info. I would appreciate the help. I do shoot a few old milsurps and a 45-70 black powder rifle so the genre is not new to me. It is a nice long barrel 50-70, trap door that looks like it could be fun. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks and Merry Christmas

After doing some research I see this is not an easy question to answer. I will get back to the rifle with tape measure and camera and continue looking into this myself. I am still looking for comments. Thanks.

[rcathey]

What exactly is your question?

[Entry Level]

I will look at the rifle again and get any numbers and length that will help identify correctly this weapon. I like large cartridge rifles but don't want to buy something cobbled together. Will also take pictures. If it is authentic the price seems reasonable. Thanks

[oldfoneguy]

The barrel should be 36 5/8" long any shorter and it's an old Bannermann cut down one. The 1866 Allin was a redesign of the 1865 model with a better extraction system. The rifles were essentially model 1861 rifled muskets rebarreled with the trapdoor mechanism and converted lock plates. The stocks, lock plates, butt plates and bands are recycled from civil war muskets and should be marked as such with production dates between 1861 & 1865. The trap door should be marked 1866. There were 25,000 1866 Allin's produced at Springfield Armory.
In 1867 Buffalo Bill used one of these to achieve his nickname while contracted to the Kansas Pacific Railroad to provide their meat.

[Entry Level]

I was wrong on just about everything except the caliber. It is a model 1870 Springfield 50-70. It is centerfire and the extractor and ejector function correctly. It has a blade and post fixed sight and correct cleaning rod. Bayonet included. I could not find a serial number. US stamped by screw on butt plate. Crisp action. Could not find any marks on stock except wear from use. The plate on the right has Springfield,1863 and an eagle engraved on it. All screws look unworked. The barrel is slightly longer than 29 inches with two bands. The bore is shiny. It came with brass, dies and bullets and an old cartridge pouch. It has Model 1870 stamped just behind the action. I read if the word model is used with 1870 it is a later model. So after going back to look at it again I bought it and now am waiting to pick it up. I plan on shooting this rifle so if there is a reason I shouldn't let me know. Thanks and Merry Christma

[browningautorifle]

The bore is shiny.

Wow, you never see that.

[Patrick Chadwick]

The barrel is slightly longer than 29 inches with two bands.

That is far too short for a proper rifle. Which makes one fear a cut-down. BUT it is about right for a Model 1869 Cadet rifle - which is actually rarer!
Please post good photos of the entire rifle, with detail photos of the action and any markings. The lack of a serial number is disturbing. And make a careful measurement of the barrel length!

[oldfoneguy]

Is it a trapdoor or a rolling block? There were both models known as the model 1870.

[Entry Level]

It is a Trapdoor