Trapdoor Rifles

Here’s pictures of the other trapdoor I got from the estate of a long time trapdoor collector. It’s overall length is 56 inches, and it has five different inspection stamps on the left side flat of the stock.

More pics

I was surprised to find the letter S just behind the rear site.

Long view

Looks good!

Hammer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2025 1:35 am I was surprised to find the letter S just behind the rear site.

My 32K serial 1868 has a "D" stamped in that spot.

Well, that’s interesting. I didn’t find any information in Dick Hosmer’s books about any letters in that area.

This is my first 1868. Is it common for there to be five different inspector stamps on the left flat of the stock?

Hammer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2025 10:02 pm This is my first 1868. Is it common for there to be five different inspector stamps on the left flat of the stock?

Three and four are common - five's a lot. All depends on what the wood was used for. I'd definitely expect a spoon-cut on a stock that's been around that long.

Hammer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2025 8:54 pm Well, that’s interesting. I didn’t find any information in Dick Hosmer’s books about any letters in that area.

Oh oh! Sorry about that. Don't recall that I even thought about it, 30 years ago. Has to be some manufacturing milestone which meant something in day-to-day operations.

Hammer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2025 8:54 pm Well, that’s interesting. I didn’t find any information in Dick Hosmer’s books about any letters in that area.

My 1868/68 #127 has no stamp in the area behind the rear sight.
My 1868/69 #1476 also no stamp.
My 1868/70 #28917 has the number 4 stamped in that area along with an H stamped above the witness line.