Trapdoor Rifles

Hello. Happy to have made the leap to the new forum, having benefited from the wisdom shared with me at the previous location.

Posting as, having previously acquired a later (1883 production) Model 1873, I thought 'Great...I have an example of the Trapdoor Springfield - box ticked'. It appears, however one is not enough, as I just acquired a second 1873 rifle.

An auction win, it's an earlier example, S/N 22588. Based on the auction photos it appears many of the early features intact, though it has acquired an 1979 sight, which was mounted backwards, at some point. I expect to have the rifle in hand in the next day so will post some photos at that point to get input on it.

WELCOME - we hope to keep Al Frasca's legacy alive, and make this the new "Trapdoor Central"!

Thanks for the welcome, Dick. Great to have access to the knowledge resident here.

As for my new Model 1873...having it in hand now, I hesitate to post it here as this is the Trapdoor 'Collector' Board not the Trapdoor 'Accumulator' Board, and this rifle is a bit rougher than I had hoped based on the auction photos and significantly rougher than the gems I see posted here by others. Perhaps this post can serve as the first cautionary tale about auction purchases here on the new forum.

Here are photos I've taken after my receipt and initial teardown of the rifle. It appears, to my novice eye to be in correct trim for its early production date (apparently incorrect, and reversed, rear sight excepted). But I'd appreciate all comments correcting me on that. Any sign of S/N 22588 in the records?

No inspector cartouche visible, but it may be hiding under the thick coat of varnish, including runs, on the stock <sigh>. And the bore, which was filled with dust bunnies, is a bit crusty, but I'm hopeful that a bit more work will improve it.

I'd like to deal with the missing ramrod and rear sight, so guidance/confirmation on the correct variations of each to source would be welcomed. Thanks in advance.