More Attic Guns part 4

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The one below from Vermont has a similar triggerguard. Being a smoothbore explains the difference in the octagon to round barrel profile.

top barrel flat Woodbury & Co Woodstock Vt. Marked on right side lower flat Hitchcock & Muzzy. HAs all the attributes of a early New England gun especially the early termination of stock at barrel breach...

http://www.auctionarms.com/closed/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8745797.0
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Vermont and New England were known to produce most underhammers:

http://www.nramuseum.com/the-museum...indsor,-vt)-underhammer-percussion-rifle.aspx
 

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The underhammer looks to be a D.H. Hilliard rifle. There should be markings on it on the bottom flat and also on the upper flats. Hilliard was one of the better makers of this style rifle and they are somewhat scarce and popular with collectors. I would strongly advise you to not attempt to clean either of them heavily or otherwise alter them as they both have some value.
 
Well I'll be dog gone, as we say down south, it IS a Hilliard! I looked more closely and there it was on one of the barrel flats: "D.H. Hilliard" and below that it says: Cornistii N.Y., or something like that.

Thanks!

Jason
 
Judging from the date on the lockplate, I believe the trapdoor is chambered for the 50-70.

Here is a site to help get a better determination.

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/

On second look, the rear sight does not look correct for the 50s, hard to tell from the photo.
 
Commando, you've got a great attic. Of your stash the one I'd be hard pressed to part with would be the Springfield. I'd be loading my own and shooting that puppy.
Got my Norton out last weekend. Drained the leak down oil out of the crankcase, loaded a hot battery and some fresh high-test tickled the carbs and fired that sweetheart up.
 
I think you've got a model 1866 50-70 conversion (Allen?). The sights look right for the springfield muzzle loaders they were converted from.
 
Thanks Hellgate - the rear sight is pretty elaborate. It can be fllipped up and provides numerous elevation positions. It's almost as if you could sight that gun in at a distance of over 500 yards.
 
It's good you're getting these down out of the attic, I hate to see fine old rifles turning into rusty junkers from neglect, and lack of gun oil.
 
Norton Commando What caliber is the Springfield?

I didn't measure it precisely, but it appears to be 58 caliber.

Jason
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Very interesting. If it is chambered for the 58 rimfire, you have a very early Trapdoor. One of the first. And one I would really like to see.

I have an idea to recreate a 58 caliber Trapdoor (centerfire not rimfire) but I have many other irons in the fire and that idea is way down on the list. A very nice find, regardless of caliber.
 
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