Recent content by davelid

Hi - I removed the lock from my 1884 TDS and a piece of small broken pin (0.118" diameter, 0.157" long) fell out of the stock along with the lock. The lock seems to have been functioning fine, but this concerned me. I disassembled the lock and determined that the pin had broken off the bridle...

PS I was looking at the old receiver that was on my trapdoor - the one with the crack in front of the extractor notch - and on the underside it has a "C" stamp. I've read elsewhere that condemned receivers had a "C" stamped on them. If that is the case, I wonder if someone tried to rebuild a...

SC45-70 - That is one nice rifle! I thought that I would update you and Gary on my progress. After hearing that, "Trapdoor barrels always spin on and index.," from a couple of correspondents. I chased the threads on my barrel and all mating points with the tip of a pointed file. I also...

SC45-70 - Nice Trapdoor on your member pic! I had wondered about that - having to also trim the barrel threaded end as well. Then I would probably have to recut the recess for the cartridge rim. 4v50 Gary - Yes, definitely sounds like a lathe is needed and this goes well beyond my limited...

I recently acquired a nice M1884 Trapdoor Springfield. Good wood and metal, very clean bore. Buffington sight in perfect working condition. Only problem was the receiver was cracked in the usual place - in front of the extractor groove. I thought, "No problem, I'll just take off the old...

If the mystery sear is like that on many Civil War era guns, the beveled nose (by the number "7") engages the tumbler, which has the hammer attached to it. The trigger engages the long horizontal leg.

Here is another pic of the sear.

The sear engagement surface is just over the "7" on the ruler. I agree that it probably goes to some side lock.

I'm pretty sure it is not a 1911 part. It also isn't quite like the 1874 sear in the above pic. The hole for the sear screw on the mystery sear is about half the diameter of a Sharps sear screw hole (at least all of the ones I've seen). Also, the angle on the engagement "neck" is different.

Hi, I ran across a sear with some Sharps rifle parts. I don't think that it is a Sharps or TD Springfield or 1861 Springfield sear. Any ideas? Thanks! Dave

KBob - PS - I think that your suggestion that this may have been a trophy bring back of my great grandpa's makes sense. It really is in exceptional condition bore wise.

kBob - many thanks! My rifle is an 1862 Lorenz, complete with FF (for Ferdinand Fruwrith) markings. It apparently has the intermediate adjustable sights. Now I need to fire it at least a few times. Dave

The barrel seems to be the same diameter from the muzzle to the breech plug.

It is rifled.

Hi All, I have inherited a Civil War musket that was presumably used by one of my great great grandfathers who served in an Ohio regiment. The rifle came with original black sling, bayonet (fits the gun) and scabbard, belt and US buckle, cartridge box, and cap box. Today I stripped the gun...