Springfield 1873

[StrawHat]

I was helping my wife's father move into his new house the last couple of weeks.  One of the last things we transferred were his firearms.  Among the long rifles I handled was a nice example of the Model 1873 Trapdoor rifle.  I looked it over a lot before I handed it to him to place in the safe.  He accepted it, looked it over and handed it back to me.  He than asked why I wanted my rifle in his safe?  I thanked him and brought it home.  I have only had a chance to give it a quick once over but it is in decent shape with a good shiny bore.  I will give it a more thorough inspection when I get the chance but for now, it will sit next to my bastard 1866.  It will be funn to experiment again with the flatter shooting 45-70!

[cpt dan blodgett]

Gutta love that guy.  Hope he is around along time before you folks loose him.

[ndnchf]

Wow - that's really great.  Itwill be a nice companion to your Mississippi trapdoor.

[StrawHat]

Wow - that's really great.  Itwill be a nice companion to your Mississippi trapdoor.

Yes, it does reside next to it.  I guess they talk about the old days and such.  My hearing is not good enough to catch what they are saying.  The only time I can hear them is when they are belching smoke and lead. 

Does anyone know of a site where I can find the date of manufacture for the 1873 from the serial #?

[wildman1]

Trapdoors.com I believe Keith Rush. WM

[StrawHat]

Thank you.

[Drydock]

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/

[StrawHat]

Drydock,

I met Al Frasca when I was researching an 1866 trapdoor I found.  A very interesting and knowledgeable fellow.  I learned more in 10 or 15 minutes than I had found in the previous couple of years I spent in the library looking for info!  I have sent him a note concerning this Trapdoor and hope to hear from him.  His site is the first one I recommend to anyone with Trapdoor questions.

You have an interesting handle.  I worked on the Great Lakes steamships and spent a few winters in drydock.  An odd sight, 800+ feet of steamship sitting out of the water!

[StrawHat]

Just found out the rifle left the Armory in 1878. 

I got a chance to go over it a bit more and found some roughness in the bore.  I will get after that with bore paste.  If I have to, I will cast a lap and get rid of the roughness.  Then it will be a diet of blackpowder and paper patched lead!

[Drydock]

Spent 20 years in the Navy 85-05.  Got that name the first time I went to a SASS match back in 89.  (My ship was in drydock at the time.  USS Eisenhower CVN-69.  Damn eerie to walk beneath a 97,000 ton aircraft carrier!)