Trapdoor Rifles

Hello everyone

First thanks for the add to the forum

Today I became the owner of what I believe to be a 1885-1887 US Springfield 45-70 carbine.
Normally I'm a very search and research buyer before a firearm purchase, this rifle caught me off guard and into a whim purchase at a auction today.

I went to a online auction preview yesterday afternoon to look at a Savage model 99' up for auction with several other firearms, all really clean and in great condition.
After finding the Savage 99' which was a like new condition and a 1950 300 sav. cartridge, I look around at the other long guns and there's a trapdoor?
I talked with the owner for a bit and he had been shooting the rifle with 45-70 government ammunition. He had it listed as a 1879 model, but after researching the sn# it appears to be a 1885-1887 US Springfield carbine.
The rifle has a sn# 344xxx, I get to pick it up Friday, along with the Savage 99'

I have the auctioneers pictures of the rifle they're not very good, glad I went to the preview


Again thanks for the add, look forward to learning about the trapdoor rifles

Well I went by to pick up the US Springfield 45-70 carbine sn# 344xxx, I'm very happy with my whim purchase

I have some better pictures in the sun,I need to reduce them first before I can post them

please post better pictures when it arrives. The 344xxx serial number range in SRS does contain a number of M-84 carbines.

Usage data has survived for quite a few (maybe 5%) of the trapdoors, so while a 123xxx may suffice for general info on the type of arms being made with numbers in a certain range, we really need the full serial number to see if there is anything specific.

I know that some places think there is some benefit for not revealing the full number, and people are free to do so if they like, even though I think it is silly nonsense to hide the number when asking questions.

That’s probably a nice Carbine. Better photos would be of great help. Good for you! Congrats.
You used the word “rifle” four times in describing your carbine.

Nice looking carbine.
That one was updated for the Spanish American War.

Fred Gaarde wrote: ↑Sun Oct 22, 2023 10:35 pm Nice looking carbine.
That one was updated for the Spanish American War.

Thank you sir

The complete sn# is 344760
I wasn't trying to hide anything, I just didn't think the whole serial number was needed?
Some people are so assuming, when they have no idea of their assumptions?...Some People?

Here's a picture of the Buffington rear sight