Std Trapdoor vs Cadet value

[hatman]

Hi all,
Earlier this year I bought a great Cadet rifle for a great price (from Cabela's no less). Beautiful shiny bore, no pitting, beautiful exterior wood and metal finish, sharp cartouche, and case color breech block inside and out.
This is just an idle question since I have no plans to ever sell this beauty (and she's a shooter, too).
I'm just wondering if a Cadet model is worth more, or less, than a standard 32 5/8" rifle given all conditions being essentially equal?

[St. George]

Of course it's worth more - they made fewer of them...

Get and read: 'Trapdoor Springfield: The United States Springfield Single-Shot Rifle, 1865-1893' by Waite and Ernst for a start.

Scouts Out!

[hatman]

Of course it's worth more - they made fewer of them...

Get and read: 'Trapdoor Springfield: The United States Springfield Single-Shot Rifle, 1865-1893' by Waite and Ernst for a start.

Scouts Out!

Ok, that's good to know since I got it for $680.
The book comes up costing $194.00 so I'll pass and just shoot my Cadet tomorrow. 

[St. George]

Look for that book on ebay - you might be surprised.

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

You got a heck of a deal.

+1 on the book. You might also find a used one on Amazon. Another good one is The .45-70 Springfield by Poyer and Reisch

[matt45]

and if you're going to shoot it, get Loading Cartridges For The Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle And Carbine by J.S. and Pat Wolf

[Pitspitr]

and if you're going to shoot it, get Loading Cartridges For The Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle And Carbine by J.S. and Pat Wolf

+1

[JohnsonBarr]

The Cadet rifles and loads were designed for military school boys. Powder charges were generally 50 grs. 2Fg covered by a 350gr. bullet. Try not to beat-up a very valuable original. Not so long ago I had a chance for a Cadet. Further serial number investigation revealed it was a cut down rifle counterfeit with a big price tag. Check your serial number. 

[treebeard]

You might try inter library loan at your local library--I have had great success in getting some of these more expensive reference books
that way. This is especially true for out of print books. Usually have two to threes weeks to read and note key information or copy
serial no. info, etc.

[Pitspitr]

Yes, but be careful not to spill a glass of tea into one that you borrow as you will get to buy an expensive ruined book. (Don't ask how I know) 

[Niederlander]

I borrowed one once that they wouldn't even let me remove from the local library.  They said it was valued at something like $3500.  Great information, though.

[hatman]

The Cadet rifles and loads were designed for military school boys. Powder charges were generally 50 grs. 2Fg covered by a 350gr. bullet. Try not to beat-up a very valuable original. Not so long ago I had a chance for a Cadet. Further serial number investigation revealed it was a cut down rifle counterfeit with a big price tag. Check your serial number.  

Interesting.
Mine has a serial of 564531.  Is that indicative of anything?
It also has a very clear 1893 cartouche which seems to be about right (to me FWIW).
I have shot 405gr and 415gr BP rounds from Buffalo Arms and some smokeless reloads of 25gr AA5744 with a 350gr bullet which are quite comfortable.
It shoots great groups at 50 yards (18" high), 100 yards (12" high) and 200 yards (POA) as does my 1888 carbine.

I wasn't intending on buying another Trapdoor on my trip to Cabelas, but a last minute decision to check out the gun room led me to this one.  It had a tag for $800, but a little dickering with the salesman lead to a price of $680.  I just couldn't turn that down.  That's about half of what I paid for my carbine and it's in much better condition.  The near pristine bore and case coloring on the block sealed the deal.

Thanks to all for the book recommendations.

[Dusty Tagalon]

22094 cadet rifles total, yours was 1 of 5000 maft in 1893.

Dusty

[hatman]

22094 cadet rifles total, yours was 1 of 5000 maft in 1893.

Dusty

Wow, very cool to know that.  Thanks Dusty!