I have a chance to pick up a Springfield Trap Door.;rifle, full stock with cleaning rod along with what I think is an Egyptian Rolling block. No caliber marking on it except maybe in Egyptian, which I can't read. It's got a tag on it that says "45/70???" I think maybe it a 43, but looking at the bore there's not that much difference. Of course, 43 and 45 maybe hard to differentiate with my eyes.
Both are in pretty rough shape. Being kept(for 4-5 years now) by a non-firearms type guy and they're just piled into a gun safe. No care for bumps and bruises, of course a few more wouldn't do em much harm.
The bores look pretty sound, the actions seem fairly tite. The rolling block doesn't have any wiggle but the trapdoor, when opened, has a little slop. Normal?
They have fresh surface rust all over them from being unkept.
The wood..........well it's wood I think. It's dark, dark, almost black
The trapdoor would probably shoot now with mild black powder loads.
I'm thinking the rolling block would have to be a project.
The owner is a fairly good friend of mine. I'm not aching for these rifles, but they'd be ok for the right price. I really don't know what these rifles would go for in what I call rough shape.
Any input what you might offer someone you know without trying to hurt their feelings.
I wished I'd thought to get pictures, but they are rough to me.
Thanks