Here are some just taken photos of my early model 1868 trapdoor.

[Dick Hosmer]

105 came up in an unsolicited email to me, about a year ago - I've been lazy about incorporating it. Have virtually no details as to its' features, other than it is apparently not an 1869 Cadet. Will have to see if I can get more data. Found email and owner - query sent, BCC to you.

[Dick Hosmer]

So the sight on 93 had already been updated, and, you replaced it with another updated one? Just want to make sure chart is correct. Was very glad to be able to find the owner of 105 - hope he answers me, then we'll be up to date.

[Fred Gaarde]

So, with #105 being added to the list, there are officially now 24 1868/1868 rifles known to’ve survived and are accounted for!

[Dick Hosmer]

That would seem to be the case, There's probably double that number unrecognized, but certainly nothing has come forward to increase the estimate of total number made - in other words, it's still a VERY rare bird (especially those still bearing the early sight) even if same will never be acknowledged by the Colt/Winchester elite.

[Fred Gaarde]

The trapdoors available today simply won’t be available in the not very far future anywhere for their current prices.
I can remember when Turner Kirkland was selling an A Company Walker revolver for $10,000.00.
When I passed up a Flayderman documented Winchester Lee rifle in Springfield, MO that was among those salvaged from the USS Maine because I didn’t have $500.00
When a collection of 8 original Confederate Lematt revolvers was selling for from $900.00 to $1,700.00 including a rare Baby Lematt
When an original first model Custer era carbine would sell for $600.00
When I passed up an original Conf veteran’s slouch hat, coat with braided sleeves, and pants for $200.00 over half a century ago.
I think Trapdoors will go up in Two to Three years and their prices will not be going back down.
Collectors will talk about the stuff they should’ve bought.
I’ll be one of them.

[Fred Gaarde]

That would seem to be the case, There's probably double that number unrecognized, but certainly nothing has come forward to increase the estimate of total number made - in other words, it's still a VERY rare bird (especially those still bearing the early sight) even if same will never be acknowledged by the Colt/Winchester elite.

I believe it was serial number 162 that Garret Phillips told me had an 1869 breech block on it. That sure goes along with the estimation of there being just 150 1868 stamped 1868’s assembled.

[Dick Hosmer]

That would be very important. Up until recently, I believe that 269 was the lowest known 1869 block. Of course, with such an easily swapped part, it's all voodoo and smoke & mirrors anyhow - but, it's fun, harmless, and keeps us old farts off the street and our minds active!

[Fred Gaarde]

A few years ago, rifle number 216 was shown on YouTube being shot and had an 1869 breech block.
I sent a couple of messages to the owner but never received a reply.

[Bill Faye]

Enough of the original sight on rifle 93 was still present to identify it as the updated type with the 9 on a line and the upper notch un numbered. This broken sight was replaced with an original of the same type.

579E7BB9-8B2A-44FA-903E-2EAC44FBAE8C.jpeg

The table shows #38 sight as unknown. Here is a picture of it for record

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks Bill; I've corrected my chart, and will post it shortly. The more I think about it, the more I think that probably ALL of the 68/68s originally had the early sight leaf, and that those very low-numbered guns such as yours, now found with the later sight, had them changed in service. There would have been no post-use reason to do so, and having them scattered in such a microscopically small sampling of the overall M1868 production makes no sense.