H&R 1873 trapdoor springers

1SG Yoak · March 11, 2010, 12:56:39 PM

Quote from: St. George on March 11, 2010, 10:18:22 AM
Are you referring to a barrel-mounted rear sight?

If so - any original 'will' fit the barrel's contours.

All you do is first obtain one - have it blued to match - then have the barrel drilled and tapped.

The 'problem' is cosmetic - since the rear sight base 'will' obscure the top of the lettering on the barrel.

If you opt to install it - it works well with the front sight as installed - but you may wish to change that out for a Beach.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Yes, the barrel-mounted rear sight. I'd have it installed, but not sure what "change out for a Beach" means? I'm new to this type of gun.

Thanks

St. George · March 11, 2010, 04:04:21 PM

OK - now that we're clear on the rear sight, they can be found through Dixie Gun Works and S&S Firearms - be sure to order the screws.

The front sight on your Officer's Rifle is a standard post.

A Beach is different - and features both a post and a folding globe - with a bead atop the globe.

Many originals had them, but not all, since the Officer's Rifle was private-purchase and certain things could still be requested, if the Officer was willing to pay for them.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

1SG Yoak · March 11, 2010, 09:05:35 PM

Quote from: St. George on March 11, 2010, 04:04:21 PM
OK - now that we're clear on the rear sight, they can be found through Dixie Gun Works and S&S Firearms - be sure to order the screws.

The front sight on your Officer's Rifle is a standard post.

A Beach is different - and features both a post and a folding globe - with a bead atop the globe.

Many originals had them, but not all, since the Officer's Rifle was private-purchase and certain things could still be requested, if the Officer was willing to pay for them.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Got it, thanks!

Buffalow Red · March 12, 2010, 05:38:19 AM

i got one of those little big horn edition models & would love the add the Beach sight that features both a post and a folding globe - with a bead atop the globe.
but my front sight is heald on with a screw & is whay to tall for the buffingham rear sight that came on my barrel
any one else front sight heald on with a screw

St. George · March 12, 2010, 08:00:56 AM

I have the Officer's Rifle - the front sight is dovetailed, and features a small gold bead.

No Buffington rear sights were fitted to originals - they used the Model 1873 or Model 1879 'Rifle' rear sight - so marked on the side with an 'R'.

A Buffington 'could' be fitted, because the screw holes would line up.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Rebel Dave · March 12, 2010, 11:28:23 AM

Hi

I have the standard "Cavalry model" Carbine. The front sight is soldered on, it is a block base w/a fairly tall blade. I aquired this piece in the late 70s and have hunted deer with it many times. When I first got the gun it had a modern style, short adjustable, ramp sight on the rear. This fell off while draggin a deer out of trhe Northern Wisconsin woods one year, so I replaced it w/an original rear 1873 carbine peep sight. Been on there ever since, and shoots good w/black powder. The left side of the breach block is markeed "Cavalry Model" The serial # is a low 1xxx figure. I never see much reference to the standard mod carbine any where, or in most discussions, on the H&R Spingfields.

Rebel Dave

kernel · March 12, 2010, 04:30:23 PM

Rebe Dave; I have one of those too. It still has the original dinky rear sight. I'm planning of replacing it with a new original style that are on the new Trapdoors comming out. Gonna get a period correct sling and bayonet too. Mine is a blast to shoot. Probably my secound most favorite guns to shoot. My Thompson SMG comes in 1st, but ammo "Oh My"!!!!!

Dastardly Tom · March 27, 2010, 09:44:05 AM

My Dad bought two of the Officers models consecutive serials numbered, these were the anniversary models when he passed my brother got one and I the other, his is still unfired but I like the way mine shoots,
Last week took it and my Sharps to the range, recoil while not bad was felt more with the H&R due to weight difference in the two rifles. But I do shoot mine on a regular basis but the factory tang sight is mickey mouse when it comes to adjustment or lack of, you have to turn the sight disc to loosen then pinch the slide locks to move it up or down. I've given a lot of thought about swapping just the tang out for something a little more user friendly as far as marking etc go.
Sorry for the rambling.

fourfingersofdeath · June 24, 2010, 04:04:10 AM

I have been after a single shot to shoot Pat Garret in the bandido I think it is class which calls for a traditional single shot rifle as well as a big and little lever rifle. I have a BPCR which would qualify but is too heavy to swing easily.. I was going to go with a Chippawa mini sharps which are real cheap ($AU 1450, usually near two grand) here at the moment as the distributorship is changing. These are in 38/55.

I was going to travel down on Saturday and in the meantime, my mate deals in black powder stuff rang me and said a Big Horn H&R in excellent nick has came in for $AU 895 which is a pretty good price here.

Decisions, decisions, maybe I should buy both. Can't really afford both, but I'll live. My wife is a learner and would go well with the mini sharps.

Helpppppppppppppppppp!!!!

Will Ketchum · June 24, 2010, 09:45:37 AM

I would go with the H&R. For one I like trapdoors better than Sharps and the other is that it would be more historically correct. Those H&Rs were pretty nice as I recall.

Will Ketchum

fourfingersofdeath · June 24, 2010, 07:14:49 PM

I wil definetly go with the H&R. The dealer who has it on consignment is a very honest guy and he said that it is in virtually new condition with a few tiny minor dings (wait till I git hold of it!), but no splits or anything serious. Soooooooooooooooo, it is sounding good!

I am in on a group buy on another site for a gould mould, can't wait to hunt with the boolits in front of a whooping charge of Black!

Rowdy Fulcher · June 25, 2010, 10:47:04 PM

Howdy Pards
You have made a great decision . The H&R Trapdoors are good weapons . I have a carbine that has an original 1878 carbine rear sight and I have enjoyed shooting and Hunting with it . Hope you enjoy your Trapdoor as much as I have enjoyed mine .

Dastardly Tom · July 15, 2010, 04:25:55 PM

This is one of a pair my dad bought new in 1972 consecutive serial numbered, after dad died I got one and my brother the other, his is unfired, but I like feeding holy black thru mine.

Hangtown Frye · August 26, 2010, 09:48:58 PM

Just as a note, some years ago I had the opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison of my H&R Officer's Model with an original in the collection of Fort Bridger, WY., and the H&R comes off quite well. Of course there were such differences as the front sights, the lack of the proper 1873 or 1879 rear sights, and the fact that the front cap is of aluminum rather than poured pewter, but they were line-for-line quite close, and I was very happy with how the H&R held up to the comparison.

There are definitely parts which do not interchange, such as the trigger-guards, but the triggers on the other hand do. The other various differences have already been noted.

The rifling is of the type designed more for smokeless powder and jacketed bullets, but mine at least shoots pretty well with black powder and the 405-grn bullet. I think mine were 45-65's in the one long range match I shot it in, but later experiments with the 70 grain compressed charge were pretty impressive too.

At any rate, they're a good gun, and I definitely put it up against a Sharps any day, especially if you add in lots of shooting, and having to do it fast, with BP loads. I know that I could keep up with a Winchester when shooting a 20-shot string, and the other fellow was single-loading after he finished his magazine, rather than trying to reload it. So they shoot fast, are accurate, and besides that, Trapdoors are cool...

Cheers!

Gordon

Buffalow Red · January 09, 2011, 01:11:38 PM

Quote from: Dastardly Tom on March 27, 2010, 09:44:05 AM
My Dad bought two of the Officers models consecutive serials numbered, these were the anniversary models when he passed my brother got one and I the other, his is still unfired but I like the way mine shoots,
Last week took it and my Sharps to the range, recoil while not bad was felt more with the H&R due to weight difference in the two rifles. But I do shoot mine on a regular basis but the factory tang sight is mickey mouse when it comes to adjustment or lack of, you have to turn the sight disc to loosen then pinch the slide locks to move it up or down. I've given a lot of thought about swapping just the tang out for something a little more user friendly as far as marking etc go.
Sorry for the rambling.

so what have you done on the sight as i have same cheap slide adj. thing on mine