1873 Springfield Carbine

[Steel Horse Rider]

I finally was able to pick up the fake 1873 Springfield Cavalry Carbine that had been sold to my local gun store from an estate collection. The serial number indicates that it originated from an 1886 rifle but whomever cut it down to make it appear a Cavalry carbine did a fantastic job. You can barely make out where they plugged the cleaning rod hole in the forearm, but they did not plug it on the inside of the barrel groove so once the stock is removed it is quite evident. They did install a saddle ring loop though which the smith says is definitely an original. I paid $700 for it even though I know it is a fake because of the condition. The bore is bright and crisp, the stock is not beat up, and the hammer and trigger mechanism are tight and corrosion free. I can't wait to shoot it, but since we are back into winter here I will have to wait a little longer. I figure a fake made from a genuine article is better, given my lust for old firearms and history, than a modern Italian model. I will post some pictures when the weather improves so I can get it photographed in natural light.

 

[Malamute]

I believe that shortening rifles was fairly common in the past. They may not have been attempting the counterfeit as much as simply make them more marketable. Sears Roebuck and others sold them as bargain hunting guns.

Should be a fun shooter in any event. Good choice, Id choose a shootable but not perfect original over a repro trapdoor just about any day.

 

[Hellgate]

Since it has a good barrel you are good to go. You may find it likes bullets larger that the usual .457-8. Some of the original bores shoot the .460 bullets quite well. My LEE HB 45/70 mold throws a soft lead bullet at .460 unsized. My Lyman 457124 throws a bullet of about .457-8. Use a fairly soft alloy so the bullet can bump up (obturate) to fit the bore when fired.

 

[Iggy]

My Grand Dad bought this Model 1879 rifle from Bannermans for $7.00 back about 1900 when he and his family came west to homestead here in Wyoming.


He put it out in the barn and never fired it during the 47 years he lived on the old place. My Dad found it when they were moving my Grandparents to town and put it in the corner of the saddle room in our barn. I stared at it from a distance, sneaked a few "pick it up and aim its" when I was a kid.

My folks moved to town and I moved back to the ranch in 1979. It was still there. It was in pretty sad shape by then. I got an unfired barrel and a stock from Rinehart-Fajen and went to work.

I've killed an elk, a moose, several antelope, and uncounted varmints with it. Some say I butchered it, but I'd have to say it's my favorite rifle.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Iggy - is that tang sight original to your GF's Trapdoor?

 

[Iggy]

No, it's a Lyman I think.
I take it off when I go hunting. It's pretty handy for bangin' on an iron buffalo at a thousand yards though.
That rifle is a poor man's version of the old Officer's Model.

 

[StrawHat]

Iggy,

In the close up there appears to be a screw under the receiver bridge, where the barrel threads in. Is this an additional hold down to replace the barrel band?

Kevin

 

[Don McDowell]

Bannermans, Griffin and Howe, and others sold a lot of "sporterized" trapdoors and Krags prior to the 1950's. So it's quite possible the carbine in the OP is one of those.
There's a silloutte shoot at Carpenter, Wy on the 21st of this month, load up some ammo and come shoot the ol bugger with those guys.

 

[Iggy]

Strawhat,

In the close up there appears to be a screw under the receiver bridge, where the barrel threads in. Is this an additional hold down to replace the barrel band?

Yup, and the barrel is free floated too.

Don McDowell,

Gun show at the Legion too.

 

[Don McDowell]

haven't been to the Legion gunshow in 20 years... Maybe we'll be done shooting in time to get up there on the way home.