Trapdoor Rifles

One thing that has always puzzled me is the (seemingly far too frequent to be random chance) occurrence of flat musket hammer screws on .45-70s. They occur on a wide range of guns, from obvious Bubbas to some VERY nice specimens with that being the ONLY thing out of line. The one group I've not seen them on are the minty/new rifles from the 1889 period.

Certainly SA had at least a gazillion of them, and they fit perfectly of course. Al, in your burrowings into the records, did you ever come across any sort of entry stating that such use was officially authorized on some sort of "substitute standard" basis? Or, does their presence always indicate extracurricular activity?

Dick- My observation is that I have NEVER seen a flat hammer screw on a M1873 that I thought was unmolested. I plead guilty to using lots of flat hammer screws on lesser quality M1873s simply because they fit and I did not have any loose round hammer screws.

I doubt if SA would use the bright polished flat screws on otherwise nicely blue M1873s.

My confession may account for some, but others may have legitimate origins, but I doubt it. I am sure that if Al has any insights that will be far more valuable than my limited knowledge.

The ones I have seen were nicely blued and looked like a perfect match for the finish on the rest of the rifle or carbine. Always just thought someone changed them. Check for TD hammer screws on e-bay and you see both for sale blued.

John S. wrote: ↑Fri Jun 30, 2023 4:36 pm Dick- My observation is that I have NEVER seen a flat hammer screw on a M1873 that I thought was unmolested. I plead guilty to using lots of flat hammer screws on lesser quality M1873s simply because they fit and I did not have any loose round hammer screws.

That speaks to my point - I have plenty of flat - but NO round. If others are in the same boat - I wonder, was SA ever short at any time?

Dick Hosmer wrote: ↑Fri Jun 30, 2023 2:07 pm One thing that has always puzzled me is the (seemingly far too frequent to be random chance) occurrence of flat musket hammer screws on .45-70s. They occur on a wide range of guns, from obvious Bubbas to some VERY nice specimens with that being the ONLY thing out of line. The one group I've not seen them on are the minty/new rifles from the 1889 period.

After reading this, I had to go check the hammer screw on my only 45-70 trapdoor, an 1889 rifle.
Yep, it’s Rounded!