Trapdoor Rifles

I have an 1884 that we found in the old farmhouse we moved to in 1954. The rifle belonged to my great granddad and was in the old farmhouse. There were mud damber nests in the barrel and it was really dirty. My brother and I played with it until our dad found out and took away from us. Fast forward to the late 70s. I bought the homeplace and found the rifle in the basement of the home. I restored the lock which was in poor shape by getting the necessary parts from Numerich Arms. In the last year I decide to shoot the rifle as I have an 1874 Sharps and was loading black powder cartridges. I scrubbed the bore with solvent and steel wool, rifling is almost non existent.
At 50 yards it grouped like a shotgun, using a 45-55 load of 2f blackpowder and a 405 gr lead bullet. I have not been able to get the bore to shine up. Any Ideas?

Sorry you are out of luck what is gone is gone forever. Check the on line sales sites and just buy a good barrel and then it will shoot as long a you take care of it.

Robert Hoyt
2379 Mt Hope Rd
Fairfield, PA 17320
ph# still 717-642-6696

Have Robert reline it. You’ll have a new bore.

If you want to keep the original barrel on it, Bobby Hoyt in Fairfield Pa. can sleeve it back to the original dimensions. He isn't a computer guy, so you have to call him. Morning are best as he is either in the shop or working the farm in the afternoons. 717 - 642 - 6686