Interesting website/article

[Bill Faye]

I decided to seek out some trapdoor information and have been at it for a while. Sometimes a little slow to get things done when doing research, I did just find this interesting website for the first time while searching for “sharpshooter trapdoors” (more on that later) I am sure some of you are aware of this group, The American Society of Arms Collectors, and their website with the article I reference below. If you haven’t it is worth reading. I have seen a little about them and some articles over the years but first time on their website. There is a wealth of information there if you are into old guns, etc. The articles page https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/articles/ has their newsletters from 1955 to current. What landed me there was this 2-part story on “rare” trapdoors found in volume 16 fall 1967 and volume 17 spring 1968. Very interesting reading from a somewhat early perspective. Many of the references and information in the article are found in newer publications and maybe some older ones too. There are some other articles on trapdoors found by entering trapdoor in the search bar or scrolling through the issues looking for related stories that would have trapdoor information in them.

[John S.]

The ASAC site does indeed have a lot of really great articles.

Here is a direct link to part 1 of the Archer Jackson article on trapdoors. His final paragraph notes that in the 1907 Bannerman catalog listed "60 U.S. Army Sharpshooter's Long Range rifles . . . practically new . . . with box of 20 long range cartridges for $6.80." (Ah, the good old days....)
https://americansocietyofarmscollectors ... Part-1.pdf

The quality of the articles varies with the author, and I know nothing of Mr. Jackson's reputation, but in 1967 almost nothing was known about trapdoors, so in the context of the time, and the limitations on access to resources, that was indeed great research.
Authors include such notable members as our friend Jack Lewis a long time ASAC member, and others deceased members Burt Kellerstedt, Jonathan Peck, Claud Fuller, William Brophy, Val Forgett, Bob Rubendunst, Steve Marvin, George Moller and Bill Ruger.

I am proud to have convinced ASAC to digitize their Bulletins, and also started their website and posted them on line for free public access. It is great that people are finding them useful, just as Al Frasca's great research is being shared.

[Fred Gaarde]

Outstanding thread.

[Dick Hosmer]

Great info, and, AFAIK, all quite true. I understand that Archer Jackson was definitely a TD authority back in the day. I know that Bob Hill (Al's co-author knew him. When I started in 1970, trapdoors were ignored - if you didn't collect Colts and or Winchesters, you weren't worth associating with. Being able to afford neither, I took the road less traveled - with absolutely NO regrets . . . That looks like a wonderful source of further browsing pleasure. Thanks for making us aware of it, and, kudos to our leader for getting it going.