block dates

[bigdave1]

I constantly see Trapdoors for sale with Block dates that don't match the model. I understand that "84's with the Buffington sight might have "73 blocks because there was a lot of the earlier blocks in inventory, but how about those 1873 models with buckhorn sights and an '84 dated block? I, myself, have a model 1873 long wrist stock, with a faint ESA stamp, buckhorn sight, and an '84 block. Are all these mismatched parts rifles old put together guns?

[Tom Trevor]

bigdave1, I have to admit now that I am old that for many years it was common in the group I shoot with to swap or hi-grade parts from one rifle to another. the sell the one on. Collector wise not a good idea. Shooter wise so what! That was fifty or so years ago.
The answer to your question I am sure is yes BUBBA at work.

[Dick Hosmer]

Late appearance of a 73 block is often OK, largely due to the inventory thing. Early appearance of an 84 block is usually trouble. The blocks were not changed just because the model name changed. The Buffington sight was the key - they put it on everything that wasn't nailed down... What is the s/n of your long wrist? By definition ALL long wrists were cut for the narrow receiver, and one thing SA would NOT have done is mix receivers and blocks as to width. Change occured at 96300 (well, between 96271 and 96309).

[bigdave1]

Thanks for replying gentlemen. The serial number is 321606, which would explain why a beautiful early block I bought from S&S won't fit. I didn't know much about Trapdoors when I bought this rifle (I actually still don't, but I've learned a little) and I know this is a cobbled together gun. If I ever pass it on, I will let the new owner know it's not original. Funny, this was sold to me (online, years ago) by a dealer who listed it as "unmessed with". I bought it to be a shooter, anyway, so I am not really upset about it. I just paid way too much for it. $600, at the time.

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks for replying gentlemen. The serial number is 321606, which would explain why a beautiful early block I bought from S&S won't fit. I didn't know much about Trapdoors when I bought this rifle (I actually still don't, but I've learned a little) and I know this is a cobbled together gun. If I ever pass it on, I will let the new owner know it's not original. Funny, this was sold to me (online, years ago) by a dealer who listed it as "unmessed with". I bought it to be a shooter, anyway, so I am not really upset about it. I just paid way too much for it. $600, at the time.

That s/n receiver would not properly fit an early stock. If the stock IS early then the receiver has been forced in, which often causes cracks, or had the inletting widened by Bubba. How long is comb - 9.5" or 10.25"?

[bigdave1]

I'm not really sure about the measurement you asked about. From the toe of the Buttplate to the beginning of the wrist is 91/2 inches. I don't see any cracks or evidence of forcing the receiver. It does have a faint ESA cartouche, and I believe he died in 1878.

[Dick Hosmer]

I'm not really sure about the measurement you asked about. From the toe of the Buttplate to the beginning of the wrist is 91/2 inches. I don't see any cracks or evidence of forcing the receiver. It does have a faint ESA cartouche, and I believe he died in 1878.

Well, you definitely appear to have an early stock (unless someone has reshaped the comb - but that is negated by the ESA cartouche) so, apparently the receiver inletting has been widened so well that you cannot tell it's been messed with. Change was less than 1/16" (so, less than 1/32" each side) or maybe the wood is dried out and it just did not split? In any event, you have a combination which should not exist in nature...