Trapdoor Rifles

A week or so ago I saw what was called an SPF, State Police Force carbine posted on GB. There were 440 of these carbines made for the Pennsylvania State Police Force in the early 1900’s. From Al’s description they were built with new stocks WITHOUT the holes for the cleaning rod and the saddle bar ring was removed.
This carbine on GB had the holes for the cleaning rod with the rod present along with the saddle bar ring. This carbine was also a stared carbine which I do not recall Al mentioning anything about. I also do not believe that the stamping was in the correct location??
With all these oddities I felt that it was a carbine that someone possibly made up and put it in my watchlist just to see how high it would go. To my amazement it went for an astounding amount.
Here is the listing,
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1051997822
In the newsletters it appears that these carbines did have the stared receivers but no information on the stocks being new made. Al had one listed on his website just before retiring and in the description he noted the stock not having the rod compartment, the listing is still there but the photos and description is not.

carlsr, Check the newsletters again and on page 296 is a drawing of a stock marked as the one for sale. The ring and tools could have been added by anyone over the years. Also the arsenal in 1906 was sending anything they had on hand or could cobble together from the parts bins.
The price is beyond reality and I believe the happiest bidder is the runner up who does not have to go home and explain what he did.

Price seems as far out as the 1879 carbine sn. 145957 in the last Rock Island auction no. 4091 item 1093. If ever there was a crate queen this was it not a mark on it and 100% finish. But 32,313.00 is a bit high for my blood.

My left-hand-twist is a bleeping BARGAIN!! Grab it quick before I raise the price!!!

Tom Trevor wrote: ↑Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:53 pm carlsr, Check the newsletters again and on page 296 is a drawing of a stock marked as the one for sale. The ring and tools could have been added by anyone over the years. Also the arsenal in 1906 was sending anything they had on hand or could cobble together from the parts bins.
The price is beyond reality and I believe the happiest bidder is the runner up who does not have to go home and explain what he did.

Price seems as far out as the 1879 carbine sn. 145957 in the last Rock Island auction no. 4091 item 1093. If ever there was a crate queen this was it not a mark on it and 100% finish. But 32,313.00 is a bit high for my blood.

Thanks Tom, I did see the drawing of the one with the same style stamping and the runner up should be very happy!!! That winning bid is over twice the amount of one I saw for sale not too long ago.

That carbine in the RIA is awesome!! I held one just like it about 6 years ago at the Allentown show. I promptly put it down when the sellers asking price was 10,000.00, didn’t know at that time what a great bargain that was until now