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old springfield. trapdoor??

joshmb1982
i picked this up a few years ago from an old timer who was selling his collection. he said this was his grandfathers. this was in 1999 and he was in his early 80s. what caliber is it and what might it be worth? i cant find a serial number on it anywhere.

on top of the part that lifts up it has 1870 with a cowboyhat crossed by 2 arrows with US under that. on the right side of the reciever in front of the hammer it has a spamp of an eagle holding arrows and says U.S. SPRINGFIELD. the bore has a coating of rust in it. but the rifling is clearly visable. im guessing its a 45-70 but am not sure. it definatly looke like its was a fighting gun.
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m447/windhawk82/oldguns001.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m447/windhawk82/oldguns004.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m447/windhawk82/oldguns002.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m447/windhawk82/oldguns005.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m447/windhawk82/oldguns003.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m447/windhawk82/oldguns006.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m447/windhawk82/oldguns007.jpg
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • Spider7115
    Your rifle began life as a muzzle-loading US Model 1863 .58 caliber rifled musket. Following the Civil War and with the introduction of self-contained cartridges, the barrel was sleeved to .50-70 caliber and the rifle was converted to a breechloader. These "Trapdoor" rifles remained in 50-70 caliber until they were reduced to .45-70 caliber in 1873.

    The "cowboy hat with arrows" is actually an eagle's head looking skyward, which sometimes looks like a hat. Above that stamping should be a date such as 1868, 1869 or 1870. See the picture below.

    springfield%2040-60%203.jpg
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  • joshmb1982
    yes it is an eagle and has an 1870 stamped into it. if i sell this on the auction side being so old does it still need to go to a ffl dealer? i can mail it myself correct?
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  • countryfarmer
    It should be in the antique status and be able to be mailed to anyone you wish. To be on the safe side I would request a copy of their drivers license just as a paper trail.
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  • Spider7115
    quote:Originally posted by joshmb1982
    yes it is an eagle and has an 1870 stamped into it. if i sell this on the auction side being so old does it still need to go to a ffl dealer? i can mail it myself correct?


    Yes, you can mail it through USPS as it's an antique under federal law. HOWEVER, some locations such as the State of New Jersey require even antique firearms to be shipped to an FFL dealer. Be sure the buyer knows his state & local laws.
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  • joshmb1982
    what would value of it be roughly? $3-400?
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  • Spider7115
    quote:Originally posted by joshmb1982
    what would value of it be roughly? $3-400?


    That's a fair range. She's kinda rough and is missing the cleaning rod.
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  • Emmett Dunham
    I know that you want to sell your rifle, Springfield Trapdoors are so much fun to shoot if my grandfather left a rifle like that to his family members I would put it back in shooting order to pass on to the next generation. Old rifles work their way on you when you bring them back.


    Emmett
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  • joshmb1982
    quote:Originally posted by Emmett Dunham
    I know that you want to sell your rifle, Springfield Trapdoors are so much fun to shoot if my grandfather left a rifle like that to his son I would put it back in shooting order to pass on to the next generation. Old rifles work their way on you when you bring them back.


    Emmett
    it wasnt my grnadfathers. if it was my request would have been how to restore it without ruining it. i bought this off an old timer when i was 18
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  • jonk
    You can mail any long gun at the post office yourself (though sometimes ignorant or anti-gun clerks don't know or won't abide by the rules). Even modern guns. Just make sure they go to the FFL holder.

    In this instance though, anyone over 18 may receive it so long as their nutty municipality doesn't have laws against.
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