my 1869 Springfield trapdoor

[Marshal Deadwood]

Arrived,,,,stock shows use,,(expected) but the bore is very good,,,the reciever is good and solid and not scared or dinged...all serial numbers match and from what I can tell from this site that tells you what to look for on fakes,,this is all original and the real deal. Early 'thick' lock plate, correct dates and correct locations, the correct hammer, correct ramrod deal, correct stock, correct sights, correct markings on the rifle. If it's fake, im fooled. Thats possible I admit,but I 'think' im right this time.

One bummer however,,,someone,,,seems to have coated the ENTIRE rifle with a coat of linseed oil at some point (I can heat it with hair dryer and smell it faintly...a check I ran). SO...

..is there any way to take the DRIED coat of linseed off,,without distrubing the patina or faded blueing beneath ? Just on the metal parts I mean,,,

MD  *50-70 trapdoor posse

[Joe Lansing]

    I don't know much about the removal of the linseed oil, but this may be a blessing in disguise. I once had a 50-70 Springfield rolling block  with all the metal painted black. Underneath the paint was the preserved original finish in all its glory. The color hardening was beautiful. You might have more than you bargained for.

                                                                          J.L.

[Marshal Deadwood]

Well , acetone did the trick...the reciever is the most beautiful blue ! why would ANYONE want to put linseed oil over that

The barrel is another deal,,,,it appears to 'maybe' be painted ?? Not sure...someone told me these early 50-70s were not with blued barrels,,,so this may be the deal...it appears in one wee spot that the paint ? is flaked and the metal is bare underneath ?

But the reciever is something else,,the mostest neat blue ...different than anything you see on guns today thats for sure.

The riflings are good, strong and the bore is really bright..not pits,,,only at the very crown,,maybe 1/4 inch into the bore,,is discolored,,but no damage.

I'm starting to like this trapdoor world...and a 50-70 might jest be a boatload of fun to shoot. Ordering dies and 'stuff' tommorrow.

Thanks for the imput fellas,,I appreciate it.

Oh, one other thing,,inside the reciever,,the loading area,, chamber,,etc,,is really excellent....this gun appears to not have been shot a 'lot'...which on an early model like this surprises me. Used yes,,but in very very good condition cept for handling marks on the wood. No real damage there even,,just nicks and scratches.

MD

[Delmonico]

Linseed oil was used to preserve for long term storage, not uncommon at all, rather than wonder why, be glad someone did it.

[Marshal Deadwood]

That very thought crossed my mind,,if that might have been the reason it was there.

MD

[Arizona Trooper]

Delmonico is right. Before cosmoline, Springfield used a linseed oil concoction for preserving arms that were going into storage. I once picked up a black 1888 RRB Trapdoor for a song. It was perfect under the black goo.

Here is a good way to clean the stock. Dismount all the metal parts. Mix up 5 parts water to 1 part Windex in a big margarine tub. Spread lots of old newspapers on the floor of your work area. Dip OO steel wool in the mix and rub down the stock. Don't be too aggressive, you don't want to damage any cartouches. The most amazing quantity of crud will come off. You will swear that you are ruining the stock, and when you see it after you're done, you'll be doubly convinced. Let it dry overnight and steam out any ding in the morning, then start re-oiling it with boiled linseed oil. Now is when you'll probably find a bunch of inspectors stamps (should be 4 opposite the lock, two sharp and two soft, maybe a boxed L at the back of the trigger plate, plus various letters scattered about). For the next week, oil it every night. At first, the dry wood will soak up oil like a sponge. After several evenings of this, it will look like the day it left the armory. Then you can put it back together. On one M-1868 I cleaned this way, I found where it had been inletted in the wrist for a Sharps long range sight and then later filled. Wonder how many buffalo that one accounted for!

I've never had one warp doing this, and I've done everything from M-1842 muskets to M-1s. 

Have fun with your Trapdoor. They are great!