Trapdoor Question in So. CAl.

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  • Last Post 01 July 2022
SoCalNickG posted this 30 June 2022

Hello from SoCal. I am looking for advice and not sure if this is the right place to ask but here I go. My background is I am 67 years old and I shoot and hunt but I have never reloaded. I am kind of an amateur gunsmith (my own guns only). I just found this site and don’t know if there are any Trapdoor Springfield people here.

I have a friend that is dealing with an uncle’s gun collection. His uncle is dealing with health issues (dementia) and they have to sell his guns. My friend came to me because he knows little about guns and he knows me. Ownership of some of the guns goes back another generation (uncle’s dad). He has what I believe to be a Model 1888 Trapdoor Springfield. Serial number is in the 534XXX range. I believe the rifle is complete, including the round spike bayonet/cleaning rod and Buffington rear sight. The bore looks dusty but bright, grooves look crisp. The stock shows dings and small gouges, the cartouche is there but light. The stampings on the lock are there but kind of faint. Most of the original finish is now patina. The only rust is on the top of the butt plate. The rifle was leaned someplace that allowed that part of the butt plate to get wet at some point. To me the rifle looks like it is in good enough condition to shoot (I know not with today’s commercial loads). Like I said I don’t reload and have no .45-70 brass to load if I did.

How can we get a current value on this gun knowing the real value is what someone else is willing to pay? I just joined the forum and haven’t attempted to load pictures yet.

By the way, does anyone know how to remove the bayonet/cleaning rod? It has me stumped.

Thanks, Nick

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RicinYakima posted this 01 July 2022

Log into "Gun Broker" and search the completed auctions. That will give you a real estimate of what it is worth. HTHL

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Bud Hyett posted this 01 July 2022

Discussion of rod bayonet:

 

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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Fiddler posted this 01 July 2022

On the metal end of fore-end there are 2 buttons, 1 either side. Depress them at the same time and the rod will come out. 

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foesgth posted this 01 July 2022

Hey Nick,

Where are you in SoCal?  I'm in OC and shoot TDs all the time.  If you want to shoot it I can help you.  I think the best reference one can get on shooting an original TD is Spence Wolf's book.  Spence is gone but his wife still sells the book.  You can get it here. 

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