Trapdoor Rifles

You might try S and S gun parts in New York. Ask if they have original blades in stock and get the taller figure I mentioned earlier. They made the 1884 carbine blade thinner and for my old eyes now they are hard to see even with my new plastic eye balls. They have had reproduction blades made for them that are tall and you can file to point of aim as you like. In my earlier days I would file one out of a piece of steel but getting that tiny hole at the edge was a bugger. later it dawned on me to drill the hole and make the blade around it. DUH!

Texcl2 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 11:58 pm I took a look at my 1886 made carbine and compared it to the carbine with the 1879 sight an it indeed was much taller. The ‘86 carbine has a Buffington sight, did these have a taller sight than the 1879 guns? Where can I find one of these taller sight blades? Thanks for being patient with all my questions guys!
image0.jpegimage1.jpeg

I have stared carbine 176342. It was updated for the SAW with the Buffington sight and sight protector.
Most likely after the war it ended up in the NJ Guard as it is cartouched NJ in a small oval on the stock and N.J. stamped on the barrel just ahead of the breech.
I purchased it several years ago covered in some kind of goo, which is the best I can describe along with the stock having white paint all over it. The carbine cleaned up really nice, better than I thought it would. Serial number matches the stock date of 1881 so I figure they have always been together.

It’s funny how many trapdoors I have come across with New Jersey provenance, they must have had a ton of them. I wish I had the SRS books I’d love to check mine to see if it’s in there. So I found an 1879 blade and a 1884 blade, besides the thickness is one taller than the other? I’m not opposed to getting a taller one and filing it. I’m half tempted to just make one, I’ll take your advice and build the sight around the hole if I go that route.

Post the number and I will look in my SRS set.

176971 with a star at the end. There’s a slight chance it’s 175971, my eyes aren’t what they use to be lol. Thanks in advance!

BINGO! Go buy a lottery ticket. Carbine 176971 1898 15th Volunteer Signal corp company. Captain Ambrose Higgins, Pa. . served at Montauk Point Ny at camp Wikoff.
Google supplied information on unit with a quick search now you can do your own in depth searches.
Note: SRS does not show arms are starred but since numbers do not duplicate it has to be yours.

Sorry Carlsr I looked your is not listed. Do not buy ticket.

Thanks for looking Tom but I had checked years ago when I bought it.
I also tried finding something on it with the NJ guard but was unable to find anything.
I do have the SRS books and a file on my phone with all the numbers for not just Trapdoors but other Military Arms. It was way cheaper than the books
Congrats Texcl2 on your documented carbine!!

Wow!!! Thanks a million! That’s absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait to dig into this. Thanks again!

On closer inspection (with magnified glasses) it appears the serial is 175971 not 176971. Bummer

No hit on 175971