Trapdoor Arrived Today

Guns Garrett · July 17, 2018, 10:17:22 PM

Santa FedEx brought me a replacement for the Martini earlier today. It is an 1884 Springfield Tradoor, 45-70 (of course!) rifle, s/n 498xxx, manufactured in 1890. Overall, it is in "Very Good" condition, traces of case hardening on lock, though the end of the cleaning rod is pretty badly pitted. Could be a junker rod used to replace one that was missing. There is no visible cartouche on the stock. No unit markings, either. Bore is very nice, no pitting or darkening. Punched a dry patch thru the bore, came out clean.

Very pleased.

Will try to get some pix tomorrow.

RattlesnakeJack · July 17, 2018, 11:11:08 PM

Look forward to some photos, Dave!

Too bad your Martini was so unfriendly to you ... it perhaps resented being used by an "American" ...

That .45-70 "pipsqueak" of a cartridge will likely be easier on your shoulder than the British .577 and/or .577/.450 cartridges ... both of which, in full military loadings, certainly do have a bit of a tendency toward "killing on both ends" -

Guns Garrett · July 18, 2018, 05:20:05 PM

As promised:

Guns Garrett · July 18, 2018, 05:21:57 PM

A couple more:
In the top picture, the white spot in front of the rear band is just a weird light reflection. I know it looks like a nail, or something...

RattlesnakeJack · July 18, 2018, 05:30:42 PM

Looks good, Guns!

Guns Garrett · July 18, 2018, 05:33:21 PM

Two more. In the bottom one, you can see how badly the ramrod is pitted.

Drydock · July 18, 2018, 06:22:35 PM

Yep, I'd say for sure it does not match the rest of the gun. Good place for a lot of odd ramrods, and some not so odd:

http://stores.butchsantiquegunparts.com/

Guns Garrett · July 18, 2018, 07:30:44 PM

You may have noticed that the lower sling keeper is missing. Dave Carrico's shop is just a few miles down the road from me, so I may give him a visit.

Tater Pickens · July 18, 2018, 09:57:43 PM

You might check www.trapdoorcollector.com.

Al Frasca has lots of parts for trapdoors and has a good offering of ram rods.

Tater Pickens

Grenadier · July 19, 2018, 05:09:01 AM

Quote from: Guns Garrett on July 18, 2018, 07:30:44 PM
You may have noticed that the lower sling keeper is missing. Dave Carrico's shop is just a few miles down the road from me, so I may give him a visit.

Guns I have a spare if you want it.

Silver Creek Slim · July 19, 2018, 08:31:55 PM

Very nice.

Slim