View Full Version : 1873 Trapdoor with brass fittings
foxfirerodandgun
09-12-2015, 06:46
I have recently acquired a Trapdoor carbine with a very worn side plate eagle and date which appears to be 1873. The serial number, 354**, thus seems to be in the Custer range. What has me puzzled is that all of the fittings, (i.e.) side plate, trigger guard, butt plate, barrel band, etc. are made of what appears to be brass. I can find no reference of Trapdoor Carbines having brass fittings in my limited research that I have been able to complete. Can anyone please help me with any information regarding these carbines having brass fittings?
Many Thanks!
Dick Hosmer
09-12-2015, 08:35
Can you post photos? Seeing the entire gun, in context, should provide further clues.
The brass parts would have to be (a) plated (have you tested them with a magnet?) for show (b) taken off another gun or (c) home-made. I am comfortable in stating that NO TDs ever left SA originally with brass furniture.
foxfirerodandgun
09-12-2015, 09:14
32378
Can you post photos? Seeing the entire gun, in context, should provide further clues.
The brass parts would have to be (a) plated (have you tested them with a magnet?) for show (b) taken off another gun or (c) home-made. I am comfortable in stating that NO TDs ever left SA originally with brass furniture.
The fittings ARE magnetic and appear to be very old.
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foxfirerodandgun
09-12-2015, 09:25
Here are a few more images.
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Johnny P
09-12-2015, 09:55
In a nearby town we had a facility that manufactured lighting fixtures. At night the plating shop did a big business in employees plating just about everything. The local gunsmith got quite a few revolvers that had been plated and wouldn't go back together.
Like Dick, I suspect a plating job.
foxfirerodandgun
09-12-2015, 10:11
In a nearby town we had a facility that manufactured lighting fixtures. At night the plating shop did a big business in employees plating just about everything. The local gunsmith got quite a few revolvers that had been plated and wouldn't go back together.
Like Dick, I suspect a plating job.
YEP!! I just checked for myself, and did not take the word of the owner, and they are definitely magnetic!
Mystery solved!
Many Thanks To All!!
James
Dick Hosmer
09-12-2015, 10:57
I'm truly sorry Fox - nothing personal in the following.
That is a real tragedy, having been horrendously over-cleaned by some freaking idiot.
It appears to be a completely straight - if heavily worn - 1st model carbine in a great serial range. I see zero wrong parts or anomalies.
Guys, that could be the poster child for what you do NOT want to do to an old gun. The whitish appearance hurts the eyes.
Some will take this as total heresy, but I would work that over with a mix of cold brown and cold blue until the metal at least looked "old" again. That would not be hurting it at all - the damage is done. VERY rarely do I recommend this course of action, and you would certainly have to disclose the artificial aging to any prospective purchaser.
raymeketa
09-12-2015, 01:47
That almost looks like it could be cheap Gold Plating as done with one of the old hobby kits using a couple of batteries for the electrical charge.
Man, it sure looks snazzy and I bet the owner showed it with pride. But, as Dick said, what a tragedy!! That carbine, if left original, would demand a high premium today. I used to collect carbines and even it would have been a very nice addition to my collection.
Ray
DRAGONFLYDF
09-12-2015, 03:40
suxs about the finish, I wish I had that stock for my Carbine, it is in the 369** serial range
Dick Hosmer
09-12-2015, 04:00
suxs about the finish, I wish I had that stock for my Carbine, it is in the 369** serial range
Could you please send me the whole s/n for the database, or have I already asked you? CRS! :-(
DRAGONFLYDF
09-12-2015, 06:39
You all ready have it...
http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?37610-SRS-please-1873-Springfield-Carbine
foxfirerodandgun
09-12-2015, 09:07
I'm truly sorry Fox - nothing personal in the following.
That is a real tragedy, having been horrendously over-cleaned by some freaking idiot.
It appears to be a completely straight - if heavily worn - 1st model carbine in a great serial range. I see zero wrong parts or anomalies.
Guys, that could be the poster child for what you do NOT want to do to an old gun. The whitish appearance hurts the eyes.
Some will take this as total heresy, but I would work that over with a mix of cold brown and cold blue until the metal at least looked "old" again. That would not be hurting it at all - the damage is done. VERY rarely do I recommend this course of action, and you would certainly have to disclose the artificial aging to any prospective purchaser.
Not to worry. Your comments pretty much reflects my thoughts and opinions too. I wonder if the plating could be removed without doing more damage to the metal surfaces?
foxfirerodandgun
09-13-2015, 10:49
Any opinions from anyone as to what you may feel would be a realistic value of this carbine?
Many Thanks!
James
Plating can be reversed electro-chemically by a competent plating shop. Of course, then you'd have to face the possibility the carbine was polished heavily before the plating was done, and in any case, some sort of protective bluing would be needed to protect the polished metal after the plating was removed. On the other hand, it could not look worse than it does now, in my opinion..
Looks like electro-plating to me. Seems to me there used to be hobby kits you could buy.
I would offer that it is some sort of ceremonial rifle perhaps belonging to a local VFW at some point. Looks like it was done a long time ago. I would also look into a local plating shop that might be able to remove the plating. Worth a shot and it would look better.
TKacook
psteinmayer
09-14-2015, 10:24
Remove the plating and rust-blue the parts.
Dick Hosmer
09-14-2015, 12:00
Any opinions from anyone as to what you may feel would be a realistic value of this carbine?
Many Thanks!
James
That' a tough question. It kinda depends about how selective one wants to be about owning an apparently correct "Custer era" carbine. The stock is pure gold, probably worth a couple of thousand to that one right person who has great metal and a faked stock. Such wood is simply no longer obtainable. Carefully refinishing the metal, so as to look believable (and NOT new!!) from 5 feet, If it were mine, I'd ask around $5,000 to start, and figure to negotiate down. My .$02 only - others may not agree.
foxfirerodandgun
09-23-2015, 05:39
Thanks to everyone who responded to my inquiry. I really appreciate your honest, and direct, input. If I can be of help to anyone in the future please contact me. Thanks again!!
James
Can't the plating be removed by reversing the procedure. Seems I have heard, read this can be done?
foxfirerodandgun
09-23-2015, 08:59
Yes, I believe that someone mentioned that reverse electrolysis would remove the plating. I'm not sure that I would want to try something like this though. With my luck, I'd mess it up worse than it already is. :icon_lol:
I would check with a specialist plating shop, start with one small part, see how it works out. May not be cost effective tho.
Yes, I believe that someone mentioned that reverse electrolysis would remove the plating. I'm not sure that I would want to try something like this though. With my luck, I'd mess it up worse than it already is. :icon_lol:
I don't think that you could mess the metal up worse than the brass plating does. But that's just my opinion...
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