I was at the WA state Collectors show today

[Sportsdad60]

Curious, I saw a very nice 1873 trapdoor with a 1889 cartouche with a standard cleaning rod.
By 1889, wasn't that cleaning rod replaced with ramrod bayonet?

[Dick Hosmer]

No, the rod bayonet started in 1890 at around 500,000.

The reason there are so many "mint" TDs around, in the mid to upper 400,000s, with 1889 cartouches is that production was kept ahead of demand, but when the new rod-bayonet rifles came out, they were issued right off the "line" - leaving the brand new "plain" rifles in storage.

Some fresh crates of M1884 rifles were reportedly still being found and opened in the 1940s, if not the 1950s.

[Major Tom]

Yes, and I was fortunate to buy from Al Frasca a 'new' M1884 a few years ago. Serial #472632 is in pristine condition with 99.9% bluing and case hardening colors. I do shoot this rifle occasionally with BP loads. The stock is 'like new'.

[Dick Hosmer]

Every time I see that I still do a double-take, since mine is (as you know) 462732! :1948:

[case42so]

I saw that rife also, It was nice looking. The dealer that has it is vary knowledgeable and a straight shooter.

Brian

[Sportsdad60]

Beautiful rifle!

Put together a Indian Wars ammo pouch I purchased along with some old .45-70 ammo. Pictured with my complete M1912 Colt 1911 Squad Cleaning kit from WW1.