Phantom Captain
Member
Yep,
So this weekend I traded up in my opinion. Traded a repro H&R Model 1873 Trapdoor officers model for an original Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor .45-70 rifle. It's in really great shape. Has all the sling and stacking swivels, original cleaning rod and all the correct markings. The cartouche is stamped 1884 but serial number and rear sight make it an early 1884 before the buffington sight. The trigger is serrated. The bore is bright and shiny with minimum pitting and the lock, after taking it out, looks brand new. Not a spot of rust or wear inside. Hard to believe it's over 125 years old. The lock and barrel have a nice patina and the blued barrel has gone brown. The stock has the usual knocks and dings but otherwise is in great shape. Rubbed a little ballistol into it today and it brightened right up!
I always wanted an original and I'm totally in love with this one already. Definitely at the top of my favorites now.
I reload .45 colt and have reloaded some .45-70 for the H&R I had. I'm ordering a new bullet mold in the origanl 405grain bullet as well as 100 empty brass casings!
Just thought I'd share my excitement as I"m usually more a civil war era musket and cap and baller but this rifle really hits a soft spot in me. A friend of my Dad's had one when I was a kid and I fell in love with them way back when. Can't wait to get some bullets cast and lubed and loaded up for a break in the weather!
Pics coming shortly!
So this weekend I traded up in my opinion. Traded a repro H&R Model 1873 Trapdoor officers model for an original Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor .45-70 rifle. It's in really great shape. Has all the sling and stacking swivels, original cleaning rod and all the correct markings. The cartouche is stamped 1884 but serial number and rear sight make it an early 1884 before the buffington sight. The trigger is serrated. The bore is bright and shiny with minimum pitting and the lock, after taking it out, looks brand new. Not a spot of rust or wear inside. Hard to believe it's over 125 years old. The lock and barrel have a nice patina and the blued barrel has gone brown. The stock has the usual knocks and dings but otherwise is in great shape. Rubbed a little ballistol into it today and it brightened right up!
I always wanted an original and I'm totally in love with this one already. Definitely at the top of my favorites now.
I reload .45 colt and have reloaded some .45-70 for the H&R I had. I'm ordering a new bullet mold in the origanl 405grain bullet as well as 100 empty brass casings!
Just thought I'd share my excitement as I"m usually more a civil war era musket and cap and baller but this rifle really hits a soft spot in me. A friend of my Dad's had one when I was a kid and I fell in love with them way back when. Can't wait to get some bullets cast and lubed and loaded up for a break in the weather!
Pics coming shortly!
