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Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => Topic started by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 21, 2021, 07:53:52 PM

Title: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 21, 2021, 07:53:52 PM
Working part time at the local gunshop when a guy brought in a consignment 1873 Springfield carbine.  It is an H&R with "Cavalty Model" in gold on the trapdoor.  It was probably set up for Plainsman, as it has a high front blade and a Lyman fold down notch.  It is nearly Mint.  Probably get ahold of S&S gear and get a proper rear sight.

(https://i.imgur.com/cLTsZaM.jpg)

I probably paid a bit too much, but it is really minty.  I still have some 45-70 ammo, including some round nose carbine loads in the two piece boxes with pull strings.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 21, 2021, 08:40:57 PM
Doing a google image search, it appears this may be one of the rear sights they shipped with.  Also a short Smith Style with 3/8" I have seen, and a standard two hole drilled original style.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 23, 2021, 08:59:58 AM
Considering I don't want to spend $200 on a Smith Enterprises ladder sight with a 3/8" dovetail, I'll probably go with a Marbles long shank full Buck Horn sight.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Robert Swartz on December 23, 2021, 09:49:01 AM
Working part time at the local gunshop when a guy brought in a consignment 1873 Springfield carbine.  It is an H&R with "Cavalty Model" in gold on the trapdoor.  It was probably set up for Plainsman, as it has a high front blade and a Lyman fold down notch.  It is nearly Mint.  Probably get ahold of S&S gear and get a proper rear sight.

(https://i.imgur.com/cLTsZaM.jpg)

I probably paid a bit too much, but it is really minty.  I still have some 45-70 ammo, including some round nose carbine loads in the two piece boxes with pull strings.


.....just my observation. If you've not shot one of these. Stay at or below the BP 55gr limit for carbine loads. My buddy shot a few full 45-70's from his and didn't care for them.  There was an obvious reason they decreased the load. My "long tom" is fine with them.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: smoke on December 23, 2021, 10:09:18 AM
I love the H&R trapdoors.   Cheaper than the Italian ones and still American made.

There is an issue on some with the self ejecting casing thingie. 

Can I ask what you gave for it?
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: ira scott on December 23, 2021, 10:25:49 AM
The self ejecting case thingie is caused by the cam latch slipping on the shaft.  There is a thread somewhere on here about drilling a dimple into the shaft to prevent the set screw in the cam latch from slipping.

B.N. Scotty
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Niederlander on December 23, 2021, 11:46:34 AM
I didn't know they offered them with anything other than an original type of sight.  Seems strange they'd put a regular 3/8 dovetailed sight on a Trapdoor.....
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 23, 2021, 01:07:21 PM
Yep, it does.  I bit the bullet and ordered a Smith Enterprises folding buckhorn/ladder sight with a 3/8 dovetail.  $170 Ouch!  The stupid Lyman leaf would make me twitchy every time I used it!  At least this will be period correct if not actually correct for an 1873.....
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 23, 2021, 01:09:25 PM
I love the H&R trapdoors.   Cheaper than the Italian ones and still American made.

There is an issue on some with the self ejecting casing thingie. 

Can I ask what you gave for it?

I gave $900 for it.  Other than the stupid lLyman folding leaf, it is gorgeous.  Not even sure if it was ever shot!
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 23, 2021, 01:11:52 PM

.....just my observation. If you've not shot one of these. Stay at or below the BP 55gr limit for carbine loads. My buddy shot a few full 45-70's from his and didn't care for them.  There was an obvious reason they decreased the load. My "long tom" is fine with them.

Yep, a full load in the little carbine would be stout!  I'll probably use some 300 grainers and Trail Boss for plinking.  That will tame it down a bit.....
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: smoke on December 23, 2021, 01:29:46 PM
I gave $900 for it.  Other than the stupid lLyman folding leaf, it is gorgeous.  Not even sure if it was ever shot!

That is not a bad price.  Lots of them were never shot.  Wall hanger/display guns.

Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Robert Swartz on December 23, 2021, 01:30:10 PM
Yep, a full load in the little carbine would be stout!  I'll probably use some 300 grainers and Trail Boss for plinking.  That will tame it down a bit.....


....that's what I use at GAF/NCOWS matches. 300gr but 45 grains of 2F with a fibre wad. I built a batch with 40 grain of 2f w/magnum primers. For metal targets I haven't noted a difference. Someone mentioned the ejectors. My antique has a stiff solid ejection of brass. The repop carbines I've handled seemed weak by comparison.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: smoke on December 23, 2021, 01:30:51 PM
Does it have the saddle ring?  Towards the end of the run, some strange combinations were made.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Major 2 on December 23, 2021, 01:33:46 PM
Mine had the Bar, but the ring had been removed, Dixie Gun Works solved that part issue
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: cpt dan blodgett on December 23, 2021, 02:28:04 PM
Off topic a bit but I scored a H&R Officers model that also had a very questionable site.  Got a really nice one from Lee Shaver.  Now I just need to shoot it.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 23, 2021, 02:52:08 PM
It still has the saddle ring and bar
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 23, 2021, 03:33:10 PM
Back around 1998 or 1999, I had an Officers Model H&R I got in a trade.  The tang sight was pretty flimsy, though.  I only shot it a couple times, and traded it for a Navy Arms Rolling Block Target Model .45-70.

We have a 100 yard long range, single shot side match after the CAS match at the local club.  This should do nicely.  I was using an HRA single shot 45-70, but it seemed too modern.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: smoke on December 23, 2021, 04:30:28 PM
My H&R Officers model has the tang sight but nothing on the barrel.  I wish it had both.

The tang sight is great except that it doesn't lock in place.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Niederlander on December 23, 2021, 05:08:10 PM
Any gunsmith could drill and tap holes for the regular sight.  I'd think it would cover the dovetail, too, if you wanted to go that route.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on December 23, 2021, 05:23:36 PM
I'm good with the Smith Enterprises Buckhorn/Ladder 3/8" Dovetail.  I had one on an Italian Sharps, and I liked it a lot.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Niederlander on December 23, 2021, 05:27:57 PM
I like Smith Enterprises sights myself. I've got one on my '76.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: El Tio Loco on December 23, 2021, 07:30:07 PM
I would drill and tap it for an 1879 carbine sight.  The H&R is a fine rifle, my OM is very accurate with the government carbine load.
You did good on the price.
Ken
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: St. George on December 23, 2021, 10:12:36 PM
Original 'C'-marked Carbine rear sights can cost more than the piece, but there are converted Rifle rear sights and bases available - you just have to look.

They'll cover the dovetail - all you need to do is to measure the distance from the receiver to the rear sight base.

My Officer's Rifle has an original Rifle rear - as the originals all used that sight - and a pistol grip.

Scouts Out!

Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Drydock on December 24, 2021, 12:41:06 PM
https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=63&cat=Pedersoli+Springfield+Trapdoor+Carbine
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: smoke on December 24, 2021, 01:31:58 PM
Be advised that not all Pedersoli parts interchange with the H&R's.  I needed a cleaning rod for my H&R Officer Model.  I bought the Pedersoli and it is too short.  I will have to make my own with the hardware from the Pedersoli.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on January 09, 2022, 12:15:21 PM
Here it is with the Smith enterprises Buckhorn/Ladder rear.  Looks a lot better than the stupid Lyman rear leaf.  Historically, I could see a frontier Lawman getting a Trapdoor Springfield and replacing it with a sight like this.  It is a really nice piece of kit!

(https://i.imgur.com/SkM6dhX.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/qZf3RNo.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Mj1GOPK.jpg)
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Drydock on January 09, 2022, 03:04:46 PM
Thats a good look for the carbine.  Looks a lot like the old Sharps Lawerance sight, especially the semi buckhorn.  Fine alternative to drill and tap. 
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on January 09, 2022, 04:10:37 PM
I think the Smith Enterprise sight is a copy of the Sharps sight.  It has "1876" at the top of the ladder.  It was expensive (just under $200 with tax and shipping), but it is really worth it!. GREAT sight picture!

My Marlin 1894 Century Limited .44-40 has Marbles Semi-Buckhorn.  Thinking of putting a Marbles full Buckhorn sight on it, also.

(https://i.imgur.com/Bj3PE6L.jpg)
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on January 09, 2022, 07:40:35 PM
Ill get a chance to try it on the 15th at our local match.  We have a 100 yard big bore side match.  We shoot two liter pop bottles - free standing, off hand five shots.  I still have some HSM 405 grain lead Cowboy 45-70 loads.
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: Tuolumne Lawman on January 15, 2022, 04:59:40 PM
WOWZA!!!!!

Used the trapdoor at the local CAS match for the long range side match.  As I had not fired it, I tried a single test shot at a clay pigeon on the 25 yard berm, standing, off-hand.  6 o'clock hold.  Vaporized the clay pigeon.  That was good. 

The big-bore side match was to shoot at 2 liter bottles of water on the 75 yard berm, off hand.  It was timed, and you had five shots to hit it. I threw it up, and nailed it with the first shot.  NICE!  I was using HSM factory Cowboy 45-70 405 grain loads.  Recoil was not bad at all considering it is a little carbine!  Definitely a keeper!
Title: Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
Post by: DeaconKC on January 15, 2022, 07:49:13 PM
Congrats! Sounds like you and the little beastie are gonna be good friends!