Trapdoor Rifles

To be honest I never wanted to get trapdoor but this past weekend I was unfortunate enough to drive few hours to a very boring gun show, it was absolutely terrible tons of plastic fantastic Glocks and AR15s, nothing old and historical. I was on my way out when old man walked with this trapdoor. Now back home I'm thinking it was not such a bad idea, I have 1816 (repro), 1842, Kreg, 1903 all made by Springfield and this trapdoor would be a good addition to my collection. I'm still researching this gun and would appreciate any opinions on it

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xJKTcMQxrg277DGA7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QYs99dYvfmxecPX69

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vZ5ubVMGoSe1b71a6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QNo36vxLR7wzimNE8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QpgK145kx19wJ5zL8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2UeT2H2pZhuFKLZ26

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iNp2EZu6yT31WTte8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AErMMnsDcMcNM6Y37

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ssr1dYBDatvpNwJn9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SagnQHBJ51PvA2Jv8

Welcome, and congratulations on the new addition to your collection.

It looks like an honest, unmolested example of the classic Trapdoor of the Indian and Spanish American War eras.

There is no documented usage history on 184961, but most nearby numbers for which data survived show use by various volunteer units in the Spanish-American War or Philippine Insurrection. It is likely yours saw similar use, but no way to associate it with a specific state or unit.

I am sure others will provide some tips for cleaning, and it will look a lot better, although far from new, with some judicious cleaning.

Now, like you I started with a trapdoor to fill a gap between muskets and the Krag. Then, I discovered there were actually several different models of trapdoor rifles, and eventually just had to have one of each. Maybe not everyone will want "the full set" but it is interesting to at least study them all.

Well worth what you paid. One thing the barrel band you show by the rear sight is reversed. The U on the bands faces the muzzle. The bands have a slight internal taper for this.

Very nice, now is time to go to range and shoot. You will enjoy it.great buy and welcome!

For $400, most in that price range I’ve seen typically have cut-down stocks, cracks, missing cleaning rods, etc. Yours still has appropriate cartouches, slotless screws on the rear sight, full-length stock. I don’t see any major cracks in the stock. If the bore is even halfway decent I’d say you have a very nice score.

bore is very nice. now in regards to reloading 2 questions:

Blackpowder - should I use 70 grains of FF or use less grains and compensate with cornmeal?
Smokeless would 12gr of Unique be good, see many people on youtube and other forums using it?

Scub the bore well and load it per Spencer Wolfs strict instructions and you'll have a good rifle

I always fired my rifles with a bit less than 70 grains of ffg because I didn’t want to compress that amount into the modern case when seating a bullet.
The older balloon cases had more volume inside of course and could hold that load.
500 grain bullets.
I would hear the bullets zipping down range like an angry bee.
Maybe they were keyholing?
Maybe they were subsonic?
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Smack!
As it hit a tree 300 yards away.
It was neat.

Wolfs book is good for loading military type rounds but Mike Venturinos (RIP) book on loading the various black powder cartridges (BPCRs) is the gold standard IMO.

Great price!!
Cleanup it up , enjoy.