Rifle Identification

[Guncotton]

So next question who makes good bullets in the 405gr range for use with black powder

[Jim]

So next question who makes good bullets in the 405gr range for use with black powder

“Who makes good bullets?” . . . .

YOU WILL! . . . .Eventually!!

Now that you have an GREAT LOOKING original, get to handloading for that gem . . . .and get into casting your own bullets!

Size ‘em to .460/.461 and never look back!!
(Most “store-bought” bullets are FAR TOO SMALL for these original Springfields!)

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks for the additional pictures.

101% original, and in extraordinary condition! Not "unfired" (ALL trapdoors underwent a 5-round functioning test) but almost certainly never issued.

Smart Dad, STUPID dealer... Does he have any more?

[Guncotton]

So next question who makes good bullets in the 405gr range for use with black powder

“Who makes good bullets?” . . . .

YOU WILL! . . . .Eventually!!

Now that you have an GREAT LOOKING original, get to handloading for that gem . . . .and get into casting your own bullets!

Size ‘em to .460/.461 and never look back!!
(Most “store-bought” bullets are FAR TOO SMALL for these original Springfields!)

That works time to have a chat with a mold maker and order some wall mounts it will look nice next to my old Rolling Block.


Thanks everyone

He also gave me a 1873 carbine I'll post pics of that

[Fred Gaarde]

Thanks for the additional pictures.

101% original, and in extraordinary condition! Not "unfired" (ALL trapdoors underwent a 5-round functioning test) but almost certainly never issued.

Smart Dad, STUPID dealer... Does he have any more?

[Lead Snowstorm]

Agree with the rest, it looks quite nice. However, before saying further, there is one more little wrinkle in trapdoor production history that applies to your gun - could you let us know the date on the breechblock, or better yet a photo?

[Guncotton]

Here is the date stamped on the breach block

[John S.]

It is your rifle, but if it were mine, I would be very reluctant to shoot it often, if ever, for fear of adding dents, dings scratches.

Rifles in that mint unissued condition are very hard to find, and each time one like that becomes less minty, it enhances the value of those left as much as it degrades it own value. It's been 135 years since Springfield Armory made any of these, so it's not the same as if the Remington factory (wherever that is these days- but not in Ilion any more) is cranking them out every day.

There are plenty of nice rifles which can be shot with negligible effect on condition or value, but precious few as nice as this. Collectors consider themselves to be stewards of historical artifacts, while shooters may see guns strictly as utilitarian objects, to be replaced when worn out.

Your call.

[Guncotton]

It is your rifle, but if it were mine, I would be very reluctant to shoot it often, if ever, for fear of adding dents, dings scratches.

Rifles in that mint unissued condition are very hard to find, and each time one like that becomes less minty, it enhances the value of those left as much as it degrades it own value. It's been 135 years since Springfield Armory made any of these, so it's not the same as if the Remington factory (wherever that is these days- but not in Ilion any more) is cranking them out every day.

There are plenty of nice rifles which can be shot with negligible effect on condition or value, but precious few as nice as this. Collectors consider themselves to be stewards of historical artifacts, while shooters may see guns strictly as utilitarian objects, to be replaced when worn out.

Your call.

And after thinking about it im not going to shoot it . I have others i can shoot this one is special it's been put away.

[Lead Snowstorm]

Here is the date stamped on the breach block

Perfect. You have a Model 1884, but ironically I would have been more critical of the gun if it had an “1884” breechblock.

Because there was no change to the breechblock in the Model 1884, and because a great deal of “1873” dated blocks had already been made, the “1873” blocks appear on M1884 rifles until 1887.