trapdoors in 30-40

[Lord Eoin MacKenzie]

I have read about Martini-Henrys in .303 brit.   Were there any Trapdoors on 30-40?

[St. George]

No.

The Army wanted a newly-designed rifle and a new semi-smokeless round.

Scouts Out!

[Drydock]

There where a very few, less than 10, used in the development of the .30 US round.  I think there may be two in existence, both in the Springfield Armory Museum Collection.  But practically speaking, none!

[Delmonico]

I had heard there were the ones Drydock mentioned, and with the Krag round having a 46,000 psi pressure limit, that would be a good thing.  The M-H is a much stronger action.

[Niederlander]

From what I've read, the supposedly "weak" Trapdoor action handled it just fine.  Of course, the Krag is supposed to be "weak" as well.  When people blow up guns, it always makes me wonder what sort of stupid-level load they were using.

[pony express]

I recall reading somewhere of a trapdoor someone got, they tried shooting it, but had to "retire" it. Seems someone before had shot some kind of stupid overloads, they actually stretched the chamber into an oval shape. But the action held whatever load they were using.

The "play" in the hinge on the trapdoor action lets the breechblock "back up" against the rear of the receiver, that's what takes the back thrust from firing, not the hinge.

Somewhat along the same lines, I once looked at a Krag in a gunshop, that was chambered for a 30-06.(or maybe was meant to be 30-03) It didn't appear to be altered, and the bolt face was made to fit the rimless case. It wasn't for sale, but the owner had left it with the gunsmith to try and find out any information on it. He wasn't having any luck, and this was pre-internet. Maybe something they used to develop the new cartridge? Or maybe they considered the idea of re-chambering Krags and keeping them in service longer?

[Lord Eoin MacKenzie]

Any websites to find info on the.303 Martini-Henrys from our British type people?

[Delmonico]

Just because something doesn't vaporize instantly still don't make it a good idea to keep doing it.

[Drydock]

http://www.martinihenry.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_59&product_id=57

As to the .30 US Trapdoor, it actualy used a slightly modified version of the Allin action, called the "Positive Cam" that along with improved steels, worked quite well with the new cartridge.  There is some indication that had Congress delayed the adoption of the Krag much longer, Springfield would have gone ahead with production of the .30 US Positive Cam Trapdoor, to at least get a smokeless arm into the field.

[Delmonico]

OK, now I fell better about it.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Krags intrinsically weak, the Danes did not think so.  They loaded a 196 - 198 grain (forget which) to 2700 fps  or the much slower 850 of so meters per second.  As I recall the bolt rib bore the receiver ring essentially creating both a front and rear locking lug.

[River City John]

Any websites to find info on the.303 Martini-Henrys from our British type people?

https://www.joesalter.com/category/products/British-Martini-Enfield-Artillery-Carbine-by-H-R-B-Co-303-Cal


RCJ

[Guns Garrett]

Any websites to find info on the.303 Martini-Henrys from our British type people?

http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/

[Charles Isaac]

Somewhat along the same lines, I once looked at a Krag in a gunshop, that was chambered for a 30-06.(or maybe was meant to be 30-03) It didn't appear to be altered, and the bolt face was made to fit the rimless case. It wasn't for sale, but the owner had left it with the gunsmith to try and find out any information on it. He wasn't having any luck, and this was pre-internet. Maybe something they used to develop the new cartridge? Or maybe they considered the idea of re-chambering Krags and keeping them in service longer?

I've read that there were a lot of American Legion Krags rechambered for 30-06 when the supply of .30 US blanks dried up. Never seen one though.

[pony express]

I remember seeing a Krag at a local gunshop years ago that was chambered in 30/06. Wasn't for sale, someone had brought it in and they were trying to find out any information about it. Maybe that was the origin of it. It functioned well, extractor fit the case head fine and everything.

[Charles Isaac]

I remember seeing a Krag at a local gunshop years ago that was chambered in 30/06. Wasn't for sale....................

Around here, if it's they put it on display and say "not for sale" it just means it's for sale-as long as you offer crazy money for it!

[sail32]

For Martinis try here;

http://www.martinihenry.com/links.htm

There may be some information on Martini-Enfield's here.

http://www.enfield-rifles.com/

http://martinihenry.com/

[sail32]

The .30-40 trapdoors are mentioned here on page 45;

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23514306/U-S-Army-Rifle-and-Carbine-Adoption-Between-1865-and-1900

[Guns Garrett]

Around here, if it's they put it on display and say "not for sale" it just means it's for sale-as long as you offer crazy money for it!

If you read the disclaimer a International Military Antiques (IMA-USA) it states that AL their firearms are sold as "NON-Shooters"/Wallhangers ONLY...

[MUD MARINE]

FWIW, the Marine Corps never liked the Krag but it sure was an improvement over the "muzzelfuzzels".