Trapdoor Rifles

I do have a question on my "blued" 50/70 shooter. I think its been shortened 4" or so , has no cleaning rod keeper in forend. So the rod walks out every couple of shots. Front sight is original , but rear sight does not appear to be right - mucket sight where an M68/70 rear sight slot is. Anyhow the receiver is not the longer M68/70 type. Shorter like a 73' receiver. Not sure what variant that would make it - no serials and breechblock was scrubbed of markings by whomever blued it. But it is 50/70 and shoots well.

Anyone alive here ?.

gew98 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 5:07 pm Thanks for the heads up on the rod. I contacted seller. How do you know which rod my rifle would take by looking at the lock piece in stock ?. Rifle is in the 41K serial range if that helps.

A M68 in the 41k range should have the Double shoulder rod. You should be able to see a double notch in the rod channel. If there is only a single notch it would not be the correct stock for the serial number but would take the single shoulder rod.
Can't delete this so disregard the above. Had an early morning brain fart

All model 1868 trapdoors had Single shoulder rods. Very
Early model 1870 trapdoors had Single shoulder rods and like on my early 1870, some of the very first apparently have 1868 rear barrel bands. later model 1870 trapdoors had Double shoulder rods and a solid rear band.

Whoops, my mistake Fred. Early morning brain fart
Think I'll delete that post.

The three actions I have come across and the one I have kept were all in the 41k range. Not sure what part of the production time wise this serial range equates to. The stock is form one of these 41k serial trapdoors so it is quite right . My trapdoor book I've had for 35 years does not show M68 or M70 rods in detail so not sure what to look for on "single or double shoulder" areas of the rod. Anyone post pics of the difference?.

M70:



M68:

gew98 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2023 11:17 pm The three actions I have come across and the one I have kept were all in the 41k range. Not sure what part of the production time wise this serial range equates to. The stock is form one of these 41k serial trapdoors so it is quite right . My trapdoor book I've had for 35 years does not show M68 or M70 rods in detail so not sure what to look for on "single or double shoulder" areas of the rod. Anyone post pics of the difference?.

That (41k) period would be late 1870. You need a copy of my little .58/.50 book. I'd be pleased to give you one if you send $5 to POBox 1367 Colusa CA 95932, to cover padded envelope and postage.

Would this be in the same era of the wagon box fight?