50/70 trapdoor question

[mm1ut1]

Found a 1868 trapdoor with a 1869 date on the block. Sn is 700-ish. Looking at the muzzle it looks like the barrel has a liner, but I can't be sure. Bore looks very good and the price is right. Were any made at this date with a barrel liner and if so safe to shoot ? Tia !

[StrawHat]

The Springfield Single Shot Rifle Model 1868 was the first one to use a separate receiver into which a barrel was screwed. Many of the barrels used were indeed lined from left over musket barrels, but as the supply ran low, they started to produce barrels specifically for the rifle.

More information can be found here,

http://trapdoorcollector.com/

Specifically,

http://trapdoorcollector.com/m68.html

There should be a serial number on the breech and on the barrel. Is it safe to shoot? Hard to tell without handling it, but, I still shoot a Model 1866 and many of both models are still being used.

Kevin