Springfield Trapdoor 1884 fake or real ????

[countrylovesales]

No number on breech, funny looking barrel. Need to know before I try to clean and shoot.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Isn't that the setup for the ram rod bayonet? All hand buffed and reblued too...missing some parts up front. https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-l...-B_AC6B8877E3/

[countrylovesales]

Thanks for info Jim !!!!

Yes the rifle has the barrel makings on it just like the auction rifle, even the A stamp on barrel . Wish I can find the right pieces for the bayonet for this rifle. But the serial number is gone and no signs of grinding or filing...

[LeadSnowstorm]

Polishing/buffing could account for loss of markings. As another possibility, some of the reproduction trapdoor receivers have serial numbers in different places.

Does look like at least part of the assembly for the ramrod bayonet of the M1888 is there, although parts are missing, as well as the original bayonet/rod. But - pun intended - that raises another problem with the buttplate, which in this model should have a swinging door for a compartment holding tools.

I'd be wary.

[m1903rifle]

With all the buffing, they probably removed the serial number.

[Patrick Chadwick]

"...But the serial number is gone and no signs of grinding or filing..."
-or it was never there!

Bannerman (?) "bitsa", I think. Made up from parts that were rejected/scrapped/surplus and was never a complete service rifle.

Parts missing, bad fit of buttplate, wood damage where lock has been manipulated, awful fit of Buffington sight slider, missing markings... and that's without having much of a clue about Trapdoors. Experts will surely find more.

Just my moderately informed opinion,
Patrick