1870 Trapdoor

baba1

I need some info,this rifle has 1863 on the left side of the lock plate and in the middle it has US Springfield and underneath Springfield it has a Eagle.ON top of the block it has 1870 and US with a small eagle,it has US on the butt plate.The stock has number 21 about 1\2" from the butt plate on top of the stock and a letter C on top of the stock behind the receiver.The gun is complete and it has matching serial numbers on the barrel and receiver 31XXX.The barrel has a plum patina and the lock plate and receiver are in nice shape with bluing.The stock is black but not beat up to bad.When do you think this gun was made and what would a gun like this be worth?Thanks Joe

1KYDSTR

Model 1870 trapdoor in 50-70. These had the 1870 bolt/trap date and reused 1863 pattern Springfield parts like the lock. The lock and trap are actually black case hardened. This rifle saw use by a National Guard unit (the 20 by the butt plate) and was later sold as surplus. These might have taken more buffalo than the 45-70 as there were a lot on the marlet after the late "unpleasantness". There should be a small rectangular box on the left bolster, opposite the lock plate that has some initials in it. If everythting elde is there AND the cartouche is present, between $800 and $1000 dependant on the market. Condition is VERY important here, as you will see quite a few average specimens in the $400 to $600 range...yours sounds much better than average if the cartouched is there! Congrats...neat piece of history.

baba1

Thanks very much