Trapdoor Rifles

I didn't know the stock was missing - thought it was just "sanded"? Maybe some pics of that? Sort of longer shots though, not extreme close-ups.

No it's stock isn't "missing". Just lightly sanded. I'll post a full picture

I apologize if some seem fuzzy. I've had to resize them significantly to upload to this forum

.

From your pictures, I would say that stock is entirely appropriate to the rest of the gun, and wouldn't do a thing to it. However, the cleaning rod is the later smooth type (POSSIBLY a repro) and the upper band should be the very first type without stacking swivel. Personally, I think the rifle is worth making those changes. Here is 12313:

Thanks for that picture for comparison. Is it appropriate to saw those missing item could be found on say a 1869 and 70 trapdoor? I have a few of those 50-70s with some spare parts.

Close but no cigar - the barrel diameters are slightly different. As to the rod, the '68 won't work but the 1870 is the same rod as the '73, except for a slightly larger diameter head, and being bright instead of blued. If you have parts to trade, you might be able to get off fairly cheap with the parts houses. Try S&S, Granpas, Lodgewood, etc., or eBay if you have to buy outright. What you need may not be under every bush, but they're not impossibly rare, either.

Very strange how the more "standard" features of the rifles changed enough to be unique.

Solidleadslug wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:56 am Very strange how the more "standard" features of the rifles changed enough to be unique.

Yes. I think you could use a '68 or '70 band; it would just be a little loose - and the '70 rod needs to be mic'ed to tell the difference, so it's certainly easy enough to try them while you look for the proper parts - and it's no more than a two -minute swap

Well, just thought of another difference: 1870 rods have 7 rings, as do EARLY 1873 rods, but they went to 6 rings before they changed to the smooth one. It can be confusing to try and keep track of it all, but your rifle is still worth making right . . .

Dick, I appreciate all your feedback about this rifle. Ive enjoy your book as well.