Trapdoor Rifles

BoOF 26" Krag is done, back to this.

Today was dovetail day. I am a rank novice at that, but things turned out OK. Spring and slide-lock are in snug and, above all, square. Spring lays flat and correctly interlocks with slide as intended. Next step is creating the triangular holes, then polish a bit, then let it soak in Coca Cola for a couple of days to pit it slightly. Next, screw it to the barrel and keep my fingers crossed. Final touch will be the front sight. I've ordered a repro base from S&S - open to suggestions as to how to attach. Superglue? JB Weld? I am not a good solderer.

Thumb-pieces ground off to facilitate fitting of main dovetail. They will be trimmed with a Dremel and edges stoned smooth. The M1882 did not have the thumb-pieces of the M1880, just the spring. Catch button may need re-shaping, won't know until I can get the bayonet in. Of course, the legs need to be profiled to match the stock at rear, and a simple radius at front. Still having fun.

Well, the Krag is finished, so back to 197404 . . .

HUGE progress today - the bayonet holes are in! Not "perfect" but not terrible either; they align, and the bayonet can be slid in and out. Most of the tricky work is now done. Should be 100% complete sometime next week.

Impressive, Dick.

Looks good Dick, how did you attach the locking mechanism to the barrel?

I haven't yet, but I am going to screw it, probably two 8-32, maybe something larger, say 10-24, under the spring.

Ran into a small detail with which I am wrestling - I ASSUMED (which you should NEVER do) that the front hole in the bayonet would be in exactly the same spot as the 1880. It isn't. There is nothing I can easily do about that. It will mean messing with the spring and creating a new lug, which I never expected to have to do. I haven't hurt anything yet, because overall appearance is what counts, and, with barrel worked towards a finish of 28" and a tiny bit taken off the front of the stock to make it perfectly square, I will see where the bayonet sits with proper exposure out of the housing, before attempting to fix the lug issue. As a wall-hanger, it can go without, for awhile, until I settle on a solution.

Lacking the proper tooling and jigs, it is DEFINITELY a juggling act to get everything into the best possible alignment. I only had the one rib, of fixed length, and just so much wood (I did cut it a bit long so as to have enough to square up). I will start by doing that. Then, the bayonet must look right relative to the muzzle, and should protrude the proper distance from the rib. I'll start by cutting the barrel to 28-1/16+" to allow for squaring and crowning. I have a little play with the bayonet, since the metal plate at the bottom of the hole can be relieved or even removed. The hole was full of crud which was upsetting my juggling until I realized why, but now it is fine. I'm not about to 'modify' a $400 bayonet in ANY way, nor will I have to. I will get the best balance that I can with what I have. Have my 1880 to "copy", and pictures of a real 1882, courtesy of Craig Riesch, to help me.

Thanks for your interest.

Epoxy with black dye?

Too permanent, and I have no experience with it. Screwed, I can always take it apart if needs be.

Will probably have to use epoxy for the sight base though.

Gonna seat the barrel in the receiver as soon as I can find my gripper blocks - lack of knowing where the muzzle will be is hampering my parts juggling!

Creeping ever closer . . .

Here's a quickie documentary comparison shot, first one, as a reality check. Upper gun is my 'beater' M1880, which I have no problem being handled as needed out in the shop.

Lower bands are spot-on at 4-5/8" offset for the shot. Upper bands are perfectly aligned. Rib length is dead on correct, but it is not yet screwed to barrel. Barrel, the one I'd planned to use but now will not, is loose (no receiver) and pretty well aligned. Clearly need to take about 1/8" off the stock - then the final jockeying can begin - which MIGHT mean making the barrel a TRIFLE over or under 28" to make it look right, which is why cutting it will be the last major thing. Bayonet (presently latched in the "wrong" location, has float either way, and slides slick as oiled glass.

Spring has been de-horned and polished. May have to peen the front dovetail a bit - spring has been in and out so many times it is getting a little loose.

Stock is now the correct length, rib and bayonet are properly located. Clearance groove has been filed into upper swivel to allow rotation. Bayonet appears to project too far, but that is because the one on the 1880 has been significantly dulled. Am about 95% done with profiling the rear edge of the rib, but am not going to do any more filing on it until barrel and receiver are settled in stock and rib is bolted into place. Marrying all these parts without proper jigs has been an interesting experience. Things that you do not expect will cause any issues, do. But, it is coming together.

Been going thru some learning curves but think I got it. Thought this is a good place to add them. Pictures of 1880, 1881 exp (?) and 1882