M1973 Trapdoor Drop-in ML Barrel

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arcticap

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There's an interesting .45 caliber drop-in muzzle loader barrel for the M1873 Trapdoor rifle for sale on Gunbroker that includes a conversion hammer. The description makes it sound like it's an uncommon product to find for sale, especially for a reasonable price. Does anyone know how well these conversion barrels fit into the M1873 stock or how accurately they shoot?
Has anyone ever heard about one of these drop-in barrels before?

Here's the product description for auction #160945860:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=160945860

Ever want to turn your old Trapdoor rifle into a muzzle-loader? Here is a .45 cal. muzzle-loader barrel made to replace the barreled action on the M1873 Trapdoor rifle. It comes with the replacement percussion hammer too. All you need do is swap this unit for the barreled action on your trapdoor rifle, switch the hammers, and you've got yourself a .45 cal. muzzle-loader for little money. This unit used to be offered by Dixie Gun Works and I got it about 30 years ago from them. I only used it a few times, then dismounted it and packed it away until now. (I've got too many muzzle-loaders.) It comes with a Civil War type two-leaf rear sight and fixed front sight....
 
odd,but kinda neat.still,I can buy a lotta brass and 2f Goex for a hunnert bucks.I guess if a fella didn't reload, or had a Trapdoor that was broken or had safety issues [broken hinge] a muzzle loading barrel would bring a wall hanger back into use.Some of the early Trapdoors WERE actually converted from muskets,so I'm guessing you could call it poetic justice.
 
Those kits were sold by Numerich Arms. I remember in the late sixties you
could buy the barrel and hammer to convert trapdoor rifles. A local
gun store/museum had one for sale with the original trapdoor parts back
in the day. I passed and wished I hadn't. The place was in Ohio and
was owned by Tom Pike who has passed away. Some of you old
timers may have heard of him.
 
Dixie gun works sold those conversions back in the 1970's and as I recall, until about 1986. I have a bubba trapdoor conversion. Some idiot chopped off the action and installed a breech plug in the hole.
 
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