Springfield 1873 - what have I got here? Value?
Have an opportunity to purchase this and neither myself or the buyer know much about it. Family friend (widow) liquidating her husbands old collection. We both know its old but not much more. Even if I dont buy it want to make sure she doesnt get robbed.
Here's what I think it is:
Make: Springfield
Model: 1873 Trapdoor (looks like it says 1878, but there is not 78)
Serial Number: 373856
Year of Manufacture: 1889-1990
Caliber: 45-70 Government.
Action Type: Single Shot Trapdoor
Has this cool bayonet with US plate (but not sure its original). "US" font doesnt look right (aftermarket?)
Here's what I think it is:
Make: Springfield
Model: 1873 Trapdoor (looks like it says 1878, but there is not 78)
Serial Number: 373856
Year of Manufacture: 1889-1990
Caliber: 45-70 Government.
Action Type: Single Shot Trapdoor
Has this cool bayonet with US plate (but not sure its original). "US" font doesnt look right (aftermarket?)
0
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Standard US Model 1884 .45-70 with Buffington rear sight. the bayonet and scabbard are correct for that rifle. The serial number indicates 1887 manufacture so the breech block dated 1873 has been replaced. It should be marked "Model 1884". 0 -
Nice, even with sling. 0 -
Thanks for the reply! As a learnign point, what makes the super valuable ones so much? There are several here that are either priced WAY to high or something special about them ;^)
http://www.{elsewhere}/Spr...cfm?cat_id=3670 -
quote:Originally posted by a_gunslinger
Thanks for the reply! As a learnign point, what makes the super valuable ones so much? There are several here that are either priced WAY to high or something special about them ;^)
http://www.{elsewhere}/Spr...cfm?cat_id=367
It really depends on the variation as there were many with the Springfield "Trapdoor", including rifles, carbines, shotguns and line throwers. I used to collect them, having had 35 at one time and each one was different than the other.
When I was a teenager, you could buy mint, unfired Trapdoors for $50 or less, with average ones around $25. Those same mint ones now bring $2,000 and more.
The one you're looking at would probably bring in the $700-$800 range with the bayonet and scabbard.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Spider7115
When I was a teenager, you could buy mint, unfired Trapdoors for $50 or less, with average ones around $25. Those same mint ones now bring $2,000 and more.
+1
A large gunstore here was selling average-condition Trapdoor Carbines for $19.95 during that time, and Westinghouse Mosins (which had apparently never made it out of the country) for $9.95. They had rotary racks full of them, out on the floor.
Yesterday's castoffs are often tomorrow's gold.0 -
Originally posted by a_gunslinger
Have an opportunity to purchase this and neither myself or the buyer know much about it. Family friend (widow) liquidating her husbands old collection. We both know its old but not much more. Even if I dont buy it want to make sure she doesnt get robbed.
I recently sold mine similar to that on GB for $1000 and got one bid at that price, if that helps any. The whole time I owned it,only fired a box of shells through it. It functioned perfectly but since then I moved on to a Remington Rolling Block.0
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