Trapdoor Rifles

Well, after quite some time between trapdoor acquisitions, it turned out to be the week of the M1868 at my place! First, I was able to re-introduce #25 to my collection - big thanks to Fred!!

In the time between #25 leaving and coming back home, I'd been hunting about for an M68 to fill the hole in my collection, and never quite hit upon something at the right confluence of condition and price...until #25 was on its way home, ironically. And then this popped up:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1001653999

I was able to get in contact with the seller and confirm that an FFL was not required, and a deal was made.







Traditional witness mark:







All four cartouches are present, although a couple were a little harder to photograph.













Small "D" stamped between rear sight and receiver:



A sub-inspector(?) stamp I can't quite make out, and an "L" firing proof:













Bore on #25 is a bit better than this one.



I suppose this means I shall have to find an 1869-dated specimen!

Ya fill one hole and another opens
Once I receive #127 I’ll have an 1868 and 1869. I will now be on the hunt for an 1870 dated 68.
Can’t wait for 127 to arrive!!

Very nice example! Congraulations!

Had an 1869 date once, 14027, first .50-70 I ever owned. Sold it (too) many years ago. Now am in the same boat as you. Trouble is, I need a REALLY nice one so as not to embarrass my 1868 and 1870. But, I want to steal it at a yard sale for $500. Probably isn't going to happen . . . Seriously though, after I sell a bunch of guns and maybe have some money again - that is probably one of the few things I would actually seek out.

carlsr wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 11:21 pm Ya fill one hole and another opens
Once I receive #127 I’ll have an 1868 and 1869. I will now be on the hunt for an 1870 dated 68.
Can’t wait for 127 to arrive!!

Carl, please send me again the address of the FFL dealer I’m to send your rifle to.
I can’t locate it anywhere.

Thanks

Fred

Fred Gaarde wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 2:45 am

carlsr wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 11:21 pm Ya fill one hole and another opens
Once I receive #127 I’ll have an 1868 and 1869. I will now be on the hunt for an 1870 dated 68.
Can’t wait for 127 to arrive!!

Carl, please send me again the address of the FFL dealer I’m to send your rifle to.
I can’t locate it anywhere.

Thanks

Fred

Address sent Fred
Thanks

That is a beautiful rifle you’ve got.

Fred Gaarde wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:06 pm That is a beautiful rifle you’ve got.

TKacook wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 11:58 pm Very nice example! Congraulations!

Thanks! It's always fun to stumble across something new while wading through the mass of specimens sitting unsold from the usual suspects on the websites.

Dick Hosmer wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 12:16 am Had an 1869 date once, 14027, first .50-70 I ever owned. Sold it (too) many years ago. Now am in the same boat as you. Trouble is, I need a REALLY nice one so as not to embarrass my 1868 and 1870. But, I want to steal it at a yard sale for $500. Probably isn't going to happen . . . Seriously though, after I sell a bunch of guns and maybe have some money again - that is probably one of the few things I would actually seek out.

My 1869 dated 68 is 1476 purchased from Al some time ago. It is in great shape with sharp stock flats and 4 nice cartouche marks.
# 127 will look great next to it!
All the 1870 dated 68's on GB are way over priced. Next Allentown show is October I believe so may look for one there.

I hope you’re going to be home all day Monday because that’s when #127 will be delivered.
It looks about identical to the other one.