Springfield Trapdoor Floor Lamp....

[RobertH]

Just picked up this ugly floor lamp today in Massachusetts. I haven't even inspected it much and don't know a lot about trapdoors. 1864 on the lock plate, 56" overall, 40" barrel. I know there's a lot of variations so If someone can tell me exactly what I got I'd appreciate it. Seller claims it can be found in a Bannerman catalogue. I haven't looked for it yet.

 

[RobertH]

My original plan was to save the rifle, but the lamp is starting to grow on me. Is there any value to it if it's an actual Bannerman offering?

 

[UCVRelics]

Nice Piece.

 

[Story]

.50 caliber 1866 Allin Conversion
https://www.trapdoorcollector.com/m66.html

https://www.horsesoldier.com/products/firearms/longarms/13687

https://www.aaawt.com/html/firearms/f1007.html

 

[RobertH]

Story - Thanks for the links. That's a big help.

What does the "Rect. if F-P War Gun" mean? The only thing that comes to mind is Franco Prussian war? Mine has the numeral 1 cartouche.

 

[RobertH]

I found my answer....

Model 1866 rifles ("Second Allin") were produced at Springfield Armory starting in the first quarter of 1867. A total of about 52,000 rifles were made between 1867 and 1869. Half of these rifles were sent to Europe for the Franco-Prussian War and later destroyed. Only about 26,000 remained in the US.

 

[Sundance]

Nice lamp. Bobinwmass had a rifle/musket lamp thread back a ways that, if I'm remembering correctly, had a similar looking base.

 

[limberbox]

Interesting find. What does the lettering say on the bottom of the stock?

 

[Story]

Seller claims it can be found in a Bannerman catalogue.

I believe he was referring to this, as found in the 1940 issue of Bannerman's catalog

Note - according to one currency converter, adjusted for inflation, $25.00 in 1940 is equal to $465.13 in 2021.
https://www.dollartimes.com/inflation/inflation.php?amount=1&year=1940
However, the buying power of the dollar was far stronger than today. In 1940, the cost of the Ford Standard 4-Door Sedan was $725.
https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/...de 1 In,of 21.5¢ per 5lbs. ... More items...

Compare to the Model 1868 advertisement

As far as restoration goes, I'd like to see some detailed shots of where the single long lamp leg meets to stock wrist/barrel tang. Possible?

 

[Story]

Interesting find. What does the lettering say on the bottom of the stock?

I think that's a former owner's SSN.

Also, per the Trapdoor site -
The stock shows very few dings and has the very sharp HSH cartouche which is typical of F-P M66 rifles

Any signs of this cartouche anywhere?

What date is stamped on the breachblock?

 

[Story]

A thread worth reading on a M1868 Trapdoor lamp, but two relevant comments pulled -

* "they drilled a hole into the barrel and stock to thread the cord up through it."
* "I have actually seen a Trapdoor lamp at the Tulsa gun show several years ago. This one had the wire running out the trapdoor & no holes drilled in the action. The lamp part was threaded into the end of the barrel. I don't remember how the base looked.'

https://www.trapdoorcollector.com/cgi-bin/afrasca/bulletin/config.pl?read=29329

Like you, at first I thought this'd be good to restore to firing condition but it seems to be a 50/50 chance of being modified to prevent that (less replacing some parts).

Turning it into a working lamp would still require 100% disassembly and stabilizing (cleaning/linseeding the stock, rust prevention on the metal parts, 21st century lamp wiring).

Bonus points for trash-picking a lamp to salvage for components.

 

[Story]

Nice lamp. Bobinwmass had a rifle/musket lamp thread back a ways that, if I'm remembering correctly, had a similar looking base.

For general edification
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/a-model-1816-harpers-ferry-flintlock-lamp.181503/#post-2356468

 

[RobertH]

I believe he was referring to this, as found in the 1940 issue of Bannerman's catalog


Note - according to one currency converter, adjusted for inflation, $25.00 in 1940 is equal to $465.13 in 2021.
https://www.dollartimes.com/inflation/inflation.php?amount=1&year=1940
However, the buying power of the dollar was far stronger than today. In 1940, the cost of the Ford Standard 4-Door Sedan was $725.
https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/pricesandwages/1940-1949#:~:text=Quotable facts for the 1940-1949 decade 1 In,of 21.5¢ per 5lbs. ... More items...

Compare to the Model 1868 advertisement


As far as restoration goes, I'd like to see some detailed shots of where the single long lamp leg meets to stock wrist/barrel tang. Possible?

Re the Bannerman listing, the seller said he said he saw a Trapdoor Lamp listing for $15 in one of their catalogues.

And sure, here's some pics of the base. I haven't decided yet about the lamp. While I would never do such a thing myself, I may refinish the whole thing and let it remain as a lamp for awhile - the damage is already done. I am curious how good it can look when completely restored.

 

[RobertH]

I think that's a former owner's SSN.

Also, per the Trapdoor site -
The stock shows very few dings and has the very sharp HSH cartouche which is typical of F-P M66 rifles

Any signs of this cartouche anywhere?

What date is stamped on the breachblock?

oops, When I looked again at the breechblock (with my glasses on this time), what I thought was a "1" is actually the Eagle Head. So not an F-P shipped rifle. And no HSH anywhere of course. 1866 on the breechblock, 1864 on the lock plate.

 

[vmicraig]

I always wanted a musket floor lamp for my study, ever since I saw this one online. It was up for auction, but I did t bid. Of course, the ACW drum shade is quite impressive, as is the bent scabbards acting as supports. One of the nicer ones I've seen