M1873 Springfield Trapdoor

[RSMorris]

I am looking at a M1873 Trapdoor Springfield made in early 1878 that I will pick up at the Marietta show this weekend. I have found the serial number database to show when it was made based on the serial number. Are there any databases online to know what serial numbers were used in any battles? The one I am looking at is in the 80,000 serial number range. Does anyone know who may sell original cartridges for these. Not to shoot, but to go with the display.

 

[UCVRelics]

Here are the only 2 that are listed in the SRS in the 80000 range.

839087 84R 98 CO M 10TH OHIO VOL INF
858230 84R 03-31-43 WWII DONATION TO US NAVY

 

[RSMorris]

Here are the only 2 that are listed in the SRS in the 80000 range.

839087 84R 98 CO M 10TH OHIO VOL INF
858230 84R 03-31-43 WWII DONATION TO US NAVY

Thanks, I ordered two books that should be here in a week or so, The 45-70 Springfield by Joe Poyer and The Trapdoor Springfield by John Langellier.

 

[JOHN42768]

Try http://mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/ Ken usually has some collector ammo

 

[RSMorris]

Try http://mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/ Ken usually has some collector ammo

Thanks will check it out....

 

[RSMorris]

Is this the correct cartridge for the M1873

American Civil War Relics Catalog

A general selection of military items from Civil War through World War II with an emphasis on Civil War Cartridges and early American Buttons.

acwrelics.com

 

[RicM]

In the 80,000 range puts it around 1878. Try these sites for Trapdoors very informative. Also regarding the 45-70 ammo. Originals rounds being copper shell casings instead of brass. I own an 1873 Trapdoor Carbine all original serial number puts it at 1880. They all shoot 45-70 rounds and can shoot both BP and non BP rounds but you have to be careful using ONLY ammo marked for "Safe For Trapdoors". I prefer shooting BP rounds, love the flash and smoke! I love shooting them, kicks like a mule even harder than my Garand!

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www.trapdoorcollector.com

Springfield Trapdoor Rifles & Carbines.webloc

 

[RicM]

Attached are more production numbers. Hope this all helps and best of luck with your Trapdoor. Little bit of history that Custer found out a bit too late not that it would have matter much. They found most soldiers dead in pairs with two rifles and knives out. Turns out when rapid shooting, the copper shells expanded from the heat in the chamber and got stuck. So one soldier was doing the reloading prying out the stuck spent copper shell while handing a loaded one to the soldier shooting.

 

[Booner]

...... Does anyone know who may sell original cartridges for these. Not to shoot, but to go with the display.

If it does not have the high arched breach block like the early models had, then it should be safe to shoot smokeless factory 45-70 ammo, which is made for guns that can't handle a high-pressured round. I don't know what year the government changed the design of the breach block to the low arched design.

I have a trapdoor that was one of the later models (1882ish?) and its breach block has a much shallower arch to it. I shot 20 rounds of factory ammo out if it, then used that brass to load it with black powder. It was reasonably accurate with the smokeless factory ammo, but it didn't do very well with my black powder attempts. I'm pretty sure the problem was the bullets of the factory ammo was harder than my pure lead rounds. If I were to try that experiment again, I would add some tin to my lead to harden the bullets.

I'm not a small person, nor do I think I'm recoil-shy, but a trap door rifle is not pleasant to shoot for more than a few rounds, at least if you do it from a bench. If you shoot it offhand, your body gives a little more, so you don't get to enjoy all of that recoil.

If all you want is a round or two for display purposes, send me you address via a private message, and I can load you up a couple of dummy rounds, I think I still have some 45-70 brass. You have the rifle and not the carbine, right?

 

[RSMorris]

In the 80,000 range puts it around 1878. Try these sites for Trapdoors very informative. Also regarding the 45-70 ammo. Originals rounds being copper shell casings instead of brass. I own an 1873 Trapdoor Carbine all original serial number puts it at 1880. They all shoot 45-70 rounds and can shoot both BP and non BP rounds but you have to be careful using ONLY ammo marked for "Safe For Trapdoors". I prefer shooting BP rounds, love the flash and smoke! I love shooting them, kicks like a mule even harder than my Garand!

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www.trapdoorcollector.com

Springfield Trapdoor Rifles & Carbines.webloc

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Thank you very much for all the info. Wonder why they only made 16 in 1877?

 

[RSMorris]

Attached are more production numbers. Hope this all helps and best of luck with your Trapdoor. Little bit of history that Custer found out a bit too late not that it would have matter much. They found most soldiers dead in pairs with two rifles and knives out. Turns out when rapid shooting, the copper shells expanded from the heat in the chamber and got stuck. So one soldier was doing the reloading prying out the stuck spent copper shell while handing a loaded one to the soldier shooting.

View attachment 448036

View attachment 448037

View attachment 448038

View attachment 448039

View attachment 448040

Thank you for posting this. I found that also and is where I figured out what year the one I am getting is.

 

[RSMorris]

I did find a cartridge for display purposes. Should be here in a couple of day. Was made in May of 1880 at the Frankford Arsenal.

 

[scooter748driver]

have you visited this site?

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www.trapdoorcollector.com

Al is THE expert on trapdoors. He is also very nice and a pleasure to do business with. I have purchased several from him and they have all been outstanding! I have an Model 1873 rifle dated from 1874, and an Model 1879 carbine dated 1880. I also have both his books - pricey but well worth the expense if you want to know about trapdoors.

 

[RSMorris]

have you visited this site?

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www.trapdoorcollector.com

Al is THE expert on trapdoors. He is also very nice and a pleasure to do business with. I have purchased several from him and they have all been outstanding! I have an Model 1873 rifle dated from 1874, and an Model 1879 carbine dated 1880. I also have both his books - pricey but well worth the expense if you want to know about trapdoors.

yes, I have been looking through it. It is a very well done site.

 

[RSMorris]

haha. messing around in ebay and found these shirts... ordered one. even has the inspector cartouche, the firing proof and the barrel stamps

 

[scooter748driver]

Love it! You gotta provide a link to that shirt!

 

[RSMorris]

Love it! You gotta provide a link to that shirt!

U.S. Springfield M-1873 Trapdoor .45-70 History of Firearm Design T-Shirt U.S.A. | eBay

M-1873 Trapdoor. 45-70. U.S. Springfield. Original Screen Printed T-Shirt Made By Iron Shirt.

www.ebay.com

 

[RSMorris]

I bought that Springfield trapdoor#80,192. Hope to pick it up at the Marietta show this Saturday. For some reason I am fascinated with these and it will go good next to the M1863/1863 Bridesburg with the Fenian stamp and the Needham Breech conversion.

 

[muffinman67]

Hope you got that Trapdoor this past weekend. The Bible of 45-70 loading and shooting has long been considered J.S. and Pat Wolf's Loadind Cartridges for the Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine. Highly recommended.

 

[RSMorris]

Hope you got that Trapdoor this past weekend. The Bible of 45-70 loading and shooting has long been considered J.S. and Pat Wolf's Loadind Cartridges for the Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine. Highly recommended.

It is coming by UPS this week. The dealer had already left for the show when I bought this one. I have no intention of shooting this trapdoor. I know people do it, just not my thing shooting guns this old.