I had 2 doc appointments in Lexington yesterday, about 2 and a half hours away. Got out of the last one, with 45 minutes left before my favorite LGS closed. I went in, and noticed several trapdoors, including early Allin conversions, and a good amount of the finest Civil War original rifles I have ever saw for sale. Most of them the bores were mint, mirror bright. They had bought a lifelong collection of an older gentleman, who decided to part with them while he was still above grass. I found a 1873 Trapdoor, that had been rearsenaled, been reblued, appeared to be rust blued, by the satin sheen. The stock was practically mint with 3 small compressions that could have happened in any gun safe or rack, and had no cartouche marks as one that had been rearsenaled would not have. When I dropped a light down the barrel, it was like brand spanking new, mirror bright, all the lands crisp and sharp, no pits , nothing wrong at all. It still had the cleaning rod and the military sling or a new repop, but the stitching was with large cotton thread and it looked good. It had been oiled well, and was in decent shape. It has the Buffington rear sight, that operates like it is on ball bearings. This was the only one of the lot I could afford, and when I asked was there any dickering room, cash money. To my delight he dropped it $100, and threw me in a padded sleeve to go with it. I got home after dark, and was busy this morning and afternoon till about 3pm. I got some 405 cast bullets loaded with unique powder, and hit a 4x6" steel plate 3 out of 4 shots at 100yds, offhand.The other one hit about a inch low and still moved the plate but ringing. I cleaned it and brought it in the house, It has got a home for a long spell with me. I will try to get TBG to post some pics for me.
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