1866 Springfield 50-70 Trapdoor

[Fritz]

Was a good market today, found an unmolested original 1866 50-70 Trapdoor. 1st one of these I've ever run across, condition is good but ya can't have minty all the time LOL

 

Fritz

[Fritz]

Breech date, need some oil to get it open to check the bore. Also, does anyone know anything about Marlin Ballard rifles?

 

Fritz

[Fritz]

Anyone know what the 5 dots are on the lock plate?

 

Fritz

[Fritz]

Wow, no thoughts?

 

Fritz

[12thengr]

Can't help you, nice piece tho.

[Fritz]

Thanks, need to swab out the bore, still has some shine to it, chamber needs a heavy scrub, the wood is nice as well. Real so called attic find with a Marlin Ballard rifle.

 

Fritz

[CombatEng44]

I'm curious because I have one, also. Is this called an 1866 due to the Allen Conversion date but the actual rifle date is 1864 like mine is? Are they more valuable if the rifle is CW dated? Seems I remember tons of these were dated 1873 but it's been a long time since I even thought of this. I WAS thinking of selling mine so any comments are nice to hear.

Nice find, though!! (I paid $150 for mine(pretty nice one) but that was 30 yrs ago.)

[blademan]

Very nest find. Congrats! I see many more regular trapdoors than i see conversions. Not suyfe of market. My guess close value to regular production guns. I like conversion better.

[sactroop]

I have a model 1868 that was half stocked sometime during it's journey. Barrel left at full length. Looks a little like the modified trapdoor seen in a famous Geronimo portrait. Mine has an 1863 dated Lock plate, which I was told means nothing as the lock plates were all repurposed from Civil War muzzle loaders. My lock plate has no punch marks on it that I can find. Mine has a breach date of 1870, which I also understand makes it the more common version of the Allen conversions.

 

[everforward]

Yes, IMO this is an 1866 Allin Conversion of an 1864 Springfield (the 'real' Trapdoors came along in 1873, still Erskine Allin's design)

 

I love the attic condition, it's really cool. Great piece..!

[Fritz]

Thanks guys! Anyone know what these bring? I've seen them from 600 all the way up to 3500.00

 

Fritz

[tommatt3]

The five punch marks on the lock plate are evidence on someone with time, tools and nothing to do... Model 1866 rifles were made by converting M1863 Springfield muskets. The date on the lock plate is the date the lock plate was made, not the rifle. These were also assembled from parts for commercial sale after the turn of the 19th century by dealers such as Bannerman. About half of the Springfield Armory converted rifles were sold to France.