Trapdoor Springfield questions...

[Bushpilot]

After just buying one old/antique rifle now I’m afraid I’m hooked on them. I found this 1873 Trapdoor Springfield rifle I'm thinking of buying in really nice shape. I'm trying figure out how "messed with" and original it is before I'm committed to buy it. It's an 1873 (at least that is what is stamped on the breech block) 2 band rifle. Serial number is 360XXX. It has a Buffington (?) rear sight and a "low arch" breech block. The stock is very clean (almost too clean) but it looks like it might have been stripped or sanded and then oiled at some point. The stock cartouches are barely visible and not legible. The wood to metal fit is very tight.

My Questions/concerns:
1. There is no date stamped on the lock plate. Should there be a date stamp if it's original?

2. The bluing on the barrel looks like someone wiped cold blue on it at some point and is "browner" than the receiver/breech. The bluing on the receiver, breech block and lock plate is pretty good and is a little more blue/black which doesn’t really match the look/color of the barrel. Shouldn't the breech block be case hardened?

3. The blade in the front sight has been replaced with a higher blade which is preventing the bayonet from sliding on. I’ve read that this is not uncommon because in stock form the rifle will shoot quite high at short ranges and this enables it to shoot closer to the point of aim. However, is the Buffington rear sight correct for an 1873?

4. There are no unit/company stamps on the rifle, should there be?

Does this appear to be a rifle assembled from "parts" to you? I'm really looking more for a clean old shooter than a collector’s item and the bore is very clean so it looks like it would be a good one. However, I would prefer not to have a "basket of parts" gun. The breech block, sights and lack of a date on the lock all raise red flags to me, should they? Does this sound like it's still worth $800 for the rifle or $1000 with the bayonet? The bayonet/frog and scabbard are in great shape although it won't quite fit past the front sight. Despite the questions and concerns I have regarding the rifle it still sounds like a fair deal to me but I’m pretty new to antique guns. Any help or advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AlexanderA]

I have two original trapdoor Springfields, and neither has a date stamped on the lock. I think dated locks were discontinued with the 1873 model.

Both of my trapdoors are marked "Model 1884" on the breechblock, and both have the Buffington rear sight. Yet, one of them, serial number 96xxx, is really a Model 1889, with ramrod bayonet and trap in the buttstock. The inspector's stamp on the stock has the date "1891" in the cartouche. The other one, serial number 424xxx, is a regular Model 1884.

Springfield Armory was a very thrifty operation in those days. (Remember that the whole idea of the trapdoor design was to salvage guns and parts left over from the Civil War.) Receivers were made and held in reserve until they were assembled into guns years later. Therefore, the serial number on the receiver doesn't mean much.

Every trapdoor Springfield is more or less a "parts gun."

 

[romer12]

1873 trapdoor

not a trapdoor expert, but own a rifle, cadet rifle and two carbines. I believe over a time period the 1873 became a 1884 model, then a 1888 model. all do to changes. your trapdoor #360000 was made about 1887. Not unusual for different rear sight being installed. as to the front sight, I had to replace mine with a lower front sight because to hit target with original front sight I had to shoot at the dirt it front of target to hit target. but, kept original front sight. As I understand it the trapdoors were for indian fighting and were expected to start shooting at indians about 200 yards out, the reason for high front sight. To have an all original trapdoor you would probably have to get one from a collector or museum for much $$$$$$$$ enjoy what you have.
hope this helps P.S. for additional infor from an expert go to: trapdoorcollector.com