Author Topic: 1881 Trapdoor carbine value?  (Read 2814 times)

Offline cowolf

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1881 Trapdoor carbine value?
« on: February 04, 2016, 02:30:29 PM »
I have an opportunity to purchase a 45-70 trapdoor carbine. Had Dale Beethe look at it to help verify if it is real or cut down. all seemed good.  Has buffington sight, great bore, great using condition.  thanks for all the help.

Offline Drydock

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Re: 1881 Trapdoor carbine value?
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2016, 07:00:00 PM »
Dale could probably give you a good reference.  We would need more info.  Why do you say 1881?  Is that the date on the Cartouche?  501 carbines were produced in 1881, one of the rarer years.  Collectors would refer to these as Model 1879s

Value is largely dependent on condition.  Perhaps 800 to 3500 for a general issue carbine.  If you have provenance to a person or event it can only go up from there.  The Buffington sight indicates later production, possibly a Model 1884 Carbine.  Though it could be an armory upgrade to an earlier weapon.

THis would be a good question to ask in the Barracks.  And we like Pictures!
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Offline cowolf

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Re: 1881 Trapdoor carbine value?
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2016, 11:01:17 AM »
drydock i sent you 10 picts to the email you have on your profile.

Heres what i know.

breach block -- us 1884
Serial number -- 414740
barrel marks -- V
                    P
                    eagle head
                    J
Sights -- buffington rear sight. Pin on Front sight blade
Lock plate --  U.S. springfield with big eagle stamp.

Stock Cartush - left side is almost gone but ends in a 7.   Has the Circle P underneath by trigger guard.
Buttplate --  US marked with swing open cover no rods.
bore -- dull to dark with strong lands and groves, few pits, 3 groves i think.
barrel bands -- No marks, havent been removed in a long time.



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Re: 1881 Trapdoor carbine value?
« Reply #3 on: Today at 05:30:06 AM »

Offline Drydock

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Re: 1881 Trapdoor carbine value?
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2016, 07:15:02 PM »
Have not received them.  Not sure why, the email is correct.  Might want to try it again.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Offline Drydock

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Re: 1881 Trapdoor carbine value?
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2016, 07:04:17 PM »
Pictures showed up last night.

Interesting carbine you've got there.  And it is a Carbine.  Officially its an M1884 Carbine.  According to my reference material it was produced in the 2nd quarter of 1888, at the very tail end of that run.  The next year, 1889, 5000 carbines would be produced  in the first 2 quarters of the year, and those would be the last regular Carbines produced until the introduction of the production Krag Carbine in 1985.  I suspect the Cartouche is well rubbed and its hard to say what that number really is.  But I'd hazard that stock is original to that Carbine.

Your's is further identified by Collectors as a Model 1890, as it has been retrofitted with the M1890 barrel band with integral sight protector.  This was done as the carbines circulated back thru the armory's over the years, maybe half of the production recieved these before the carbines were surplused out.  Its a very nice looking carbine, Well used but fairly well preserved.  I'd say $2000 give or take $250 depending on how the bore cleans up.  You might be surprised what a good scrubbing will do.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

 

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