Springfield 1873 Safety Concerns

[BVZ24]

This is my first time posting on this site so I apologize in advance. I have an old Springfield 1873 full length rifle that I would some day like to shoot. It had been used as a deer rifle up until "recently" and shows signs of abuse. Overall, the rifle and bore looks good, and the wood is not cracked except for a chunk missing near the tang that I will address later. I took the rifle to the only local gunsmith, however he was so swamped that he would barely give me the time of day. I had concerns with the fitment of the breech block, as, when opened, it will move side to side about 1/16"-1/8" in either direction. Attached are pictures showing the block closed, and on it's farthest sideways in either direction open. When closed empty the block does not move at all in any direction. All the gunsmith said is that it failed headspace (duh) and the hinge pin was bent. He also thought the cam in the block might have been filed to help it close, when it stopped closing with a bent pin. He said that replacing the pin wouldn't fix the wobble when opened, and a new one would bend like the old one. He would not fix it even though I had said cost was not a major concern. He did not tell me if it was safe, only that it failed headspace, which from what I understand, these rifles never had tight headspace tolerances new.
The rifle also has a small chunk of wood missing on the lock side up near the tang. I have some experience with diy gunsmithing and I think I could replicate that chunk and replace it, but it won't look original, and may hurt the value if it isn't needed. I also feel confident replacing parts of the breech block if needed.

What can I do to make this rifle safe to shoot, and is it a process that will significantly hurt the value of this rifle?
I plan on firing only 45-70 Government labeled commercial ammo, but if I could find it, I believe 45-70/55 carbine loads would be the safest option.

Thank you,
Bill

 

[Jim Watson]

I am not a Trapdoor expert and can only speculate.
Wobble when open does not signify.
A bent hinge pin and a filed cam do. The hinge pin is not supposed to carry any of the thrust.
Too bad there is not a Kuhnhausen type guide for the '73.

 

[BVZ24]

I got access to a second trapdoor in nicer condition to compare the breech blocks. The block on mine looks like it's oversized and the receiver was modified to fit.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

There were two breech blocks used on the '73 rifles, known now as "high arch" and "low arch" and AFAIK they would be interchangable, in that either would fit on any rifle. As for the cam latch, if it has been bubba'd, that will be an issue. Best replace it. Dixie Gun Works was once the go-to place to find parts but they've thinned out over the years. There's this on ebay at the moment:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Springfiel...88-Cam-Latch-W-Screw-and-Spring-/383716721559

Good luck!

One other resource: Mark Novak, proprietor of the 'Anvil' youtube channel. Check him out!

 

[Reeferman]

Go here https://www.trapdoorcollector.com//index.html and post serial numbers. Very smart people there on trapdoors.

 

[792mauser]

You have the low arch block.

As long as the block is not wobbling to any real extent when the action is closed you should be safe.

Clear photos of the rear of the block would help to see if the block has been modified to a significant degree.

 

[wiscoaster]

If the gun has already been modified, then its value has already been adversely affected, and if that's the case I think you should go ahead and do whatever you think is best to make it safe for you to shoot.

 

[PRD1]

If the cam latch has been modified, it should be replaced, as it not only holds the breechblock in the closed position, but directly bears the rearward thrust of the assembly when fired, transferring it to the breechplug. It is a critical component, and, as has already been pointed out, the hinge pin is not intended to bear any of the thrust - NO PART or surface of the breechblock assembly but the cam should contact the receiver at the rear end.. I have seen trapdoor receivers cracked below the hinge pin, and you should check for this, also, as it renders the rifle unsafe for use despite other parts being in good condition.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke