My father in law pulled out the old springfield from the attic. Someone in the family had it but they have no idea who. Does anyone know what conflict these were used in? Also any idea on the date? Serial number is 409xxx. I am thinking it was made around 1888? Any help is much appreciated! Also looking forward to cleaning the old girl up and getting her going again.
A fellow forum member just informed me it was made late in 1888. Thanks much Andre!
Indian wars and Spanish American war. They hung on as trainers and National Guard armory fillers until after WW2.Originally Posted by arjacobson
Attic finds are awesome fun.
Enjoy.
Pictures please.
My struggles: www.trapdoorspringfield.blogspot.com
Yes pictures PLEASE! I love them old war horses!
My two standby sites for the Trapdoor.
http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/
http://www.trapdoors.com/index.php
Trapdoors are a great deal of fun to shoot and can be quite accurate with the correct loads.
Knowledge I take to my grave is wasted.
I prefer to use cartridges born before I was.
Success doesn't make me happy, being happy is what allows me to be successful.
not great pics but you get the idea..
That's an old workhorse for sure. The stock looks overly dark. It may clean up to a nice rich red. Or not.
These guys have cheap but good slings:
http://www.mountainstatesupply.com/
The original cleaning rod is a rare piece on most attic finds.
My struggles: www.trapdoorspringfield.blogspot.com
As many have found with ramrods, the rifle was much more accurate when the rod was removed for firing. The rod sets up a bunch of vibrations when the cartridge is ignited and in turn shakes the whole rifle. Once removed, the rod was apparently forgotten or put in a safe place and thereby separated from the rifle.
Last edited by StrawHat; 11-28-2011 at 06:41 AM.
Knowledge I take to my grave is wasted.
I prefer to use cartridges born before I was.
Success doesn't make me happy, being happy is what allows me to be successful.
Be careful of that sling. It appears to be original goobermint issue. If so, it is of reasonable valuable in itself.
BvT
Every lawbreaker we allow into our nation, or tolerate in our citizen population leads to the further escalation of law breaking of all kinds and acceptance of evil.
Since almost all aspects of our cultural existence are LIBERAL in most states, this means that the nation is on a trajectory to dissolution by the burden of toleration and acceptance of LAWBREAKING as a norm, a trajectory back to the dark ages of history.
BvT
Seems the years haven't been kind to the old girl, would be interesting to hear the stories it could tell. Good luck getting her cleaned up and hopefully firing again.
Endowment Life Member NRA, Life Member TSRA, Member WACA, NRA Whittington Center, BBHC
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.
During The Spanish American War the US Army was issued 30 40 Kraigs.
The National Guard Units were issued Springfield Trapdoors.
They were used by National Guard or State Militia Units In Cuba & The Phillipines.
How's the bore in the old girl? If it is good, you can try some regular factory Rem or
Win 405 gr loads and they should shoot well, and are safe if the action is not deteriorated
in some way.
Bill
If it was easy, anybody could do it.
Thank you! How do you guys clean the drool out of your keyboards???
It actually looks much better than in the photos. It appears real dark in the pics but isn't too bad up close. Bore is good but does need some cleaning. Action is tight and everything is there and works good. We will have to take the ramrod and sling off. The sling is getting pretty dry rotted. I would like to clean it up without ruining anything. Any good way to clean the stock up? I think with the metal I will just oil real well and leave it at that. BTW the stock is in good solid shape with no cracks or repairs just real dirty. There is a circle mark on the stock but I can't quite make out the marks.. (195) possibly??? So you can shoot modern ammo in this old girl? I was going to start loading up some mild loads just so my father in law could get to shoot it.. I am looking forward to carefully taking it apart and cleaning it up... Pretty sure it spent most of it's life in Nebraska so maybe it was used by the platte river area?? Thanks for all the info guys
While waiting for some larger sizing dies for lube sizer I tried some bullets sized .459.
I was using TD level loads of 5744 & the heavier TD level loads tumbled BAD.
It worked MUCH better when the bullets were sized a little larger.
This was to fire form brass before using for BP test loads.
do not use factory jacketed bullets they are too hard for the old barrel steel. i have seen more then one have the rifling pulled using factory loads.
If it is not too late, handle the sling carefully until you can slather some bear grease on it a couple of times.
IF ANYTHING will save old dry leather bear grease is it
Amendments
The Second there to protect the First!
Is the ramrod slotted like a conventional cleaning jag, or is it shaped like a "Phillips" screwdriver? If it is like the screwdriver you have a ramrod bayonet model of 1884 that is worth in the several thousands to collectors. I came by mine because the granddaughter didn`t want a gun in her house, she inherited it. It turned out to be the ramrod model that had been part of an honor guard unit.Robert
don't know.I will have to check it out again..
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