Trapdoor Rifles

Here is an 1880 Triangular Rod Bayonet produced in 1881. This rifle is in great condition with a minty bore.
I found this rifle on GI posted by Cabela's.
Amazing that Cabela's would have a scarce rifle in such a great condition.
By the time my email to them was received this rifle was sold to a fellow in Texas. I contacted the Texas store and spoke to the manager in the gun library. I left him my name and number just in case the buyer changed his mind on purchasing it.
I wasn't counting on ever getting a call from them but surprise surprise!!! Got home from work on day and a message was waiting for me that the rifle was available.
Couldn't dial the phone fast enough and the rifle was mine, must have been ment to be.
Serial number is not in SRS but is listed in Dick Hosmer's book as a known rifle.

A couple more.

That one did not see a lot of use! Congratulations on a great acquisition. I have two but mine are a little rougher.

Wow!
Outstanding!

Very nice! I hope Cabela's screwed up and you got a bargain. They were fine to deal with when they started, then something happened and their attitude and pricing went through the roof. I don't even look at them any more - glad you did!

Like Art, I have two - one close to that, the other pretty rough. If someone wants a 'placeholder', or gets off on heavily-used Western artifacts, please send me a PM. Asking $1750 plus shipping.

Thank you Art, Fred and Dick.
I acquired it maybe 6 years ago?? I’d have to look in my records but I believe it cost me either 2400.00 or 2600.00 so I believe Cabela’s gave me a good price

Carlsr, Anything on the top of the butt plate? Mine is stamped 56

Tom Trevor wrote: ↑Tue Aug 22, 2023 11:23 pm Carlsr, Anything on the top of the butt plate? Mine is stamped 56

Nothing stamped on the butt plate Tom. There is marked on the right of the butt stock in red
46
17
N.G.
I would think that the N.G. Stands for National Guard???

To appreciate how nice this one is, take a couple of minutes to check out 156969.
Keep in mind that "Rare junk is still junk."
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/995860335

Hey, that one's worse than mine!!

Actually, if I had the spare change, I'd buy it, and have a swap party. My metal plus that wood would make a pretty salable piece, but, the remainder WOULD be a flaming disaster.

While there is a momentary chuckle - and a bit of cachet - to "rare junk is still junk" doesn't mean something is worthless, but it does beg a re-reading of Norm Flayderman's words relative to DEMAND.

Rarity vs. acceptability of condition can be something of a teeter-totter. That MAY be the very best TRB a poor collector could afford. Not everyone can always afford to subscribe to the "if it isn't really nice I don't want one at all" scenario.