.50-70 trapdoor
I have this rifle with a very low serial number of 14 and would like some opinions as to history/value. The lock is 1864, while the trapdoor is 1866. Three bands and all bright metal (unblued). Wood is damaged ahead of lock. Ramrod is present. US on buttplate, a capital D ahead of trapdoor on left and the letter A at rear of breech. Three pictures at
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http://www.hunt101.com
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Model 1866 Springfields were not serial numbered. It's most likely an identifying number stamped by a museum or a previous owner or possibly a rack or part number.
Your rifle is also referred to as a "Second Model Allin Conversion" as it was invented by Erskine Allin, a Springfield Armory Master Armorer. Approximately 25,000 Model 1866 Springfields were produced from leftover Model 1863 .58 caliber muskets. The left side of the stock opposite the lock should have an inspector's cartouche of "ESA" in script but it appears the wood has also been sanded so there may not be any cartouche. Even though it was originally bright steel, it also appears that the metal has been cleaned as the hammer and lockplate should be color case-hardened and the breechblock should be black. Closeup pics seem to show steel wool marks.
Based on the pictures and the missing wood, I would estimate your rifle to be in the $700-$800 range.0 -
Here's another 1866 Springfield for comparison. Note the sharp corners in the wood around the lock where yours has been sanded smooth. Also note the case-hardened lock & hammer, the dark, oil-drenched breechblock, and the "ESA" inspector's cartouche: 0 -
The Allin conversion has a sleeve soldered into the barrel. Does yours have this? If not, some were rebarreled after the Allin conversions stopped. The Allin conversions bring a few more dollars than the ones with the newer barrel. Value depends on the condition and the availability of a buyer. 0 -
The barrel is sleeved 0
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