Author Topic: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way  (Read 2368 times)

Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« 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.



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.
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Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #1 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.
TUOLUMNE LAWMAN
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Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #2 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.
TUOLUMNE LAWMAN
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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #3 on: Today at 08:38:21 AM »

Offline Robert Swartz

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #3 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.



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.
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Offline smoke

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #4 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?
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Offline ira scott

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #5 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.

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Offline Niederlander

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #6 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.....
"There go those Nebraskans, and all hell couldn't stop them!"

Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #7 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.....
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Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #8 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!
TUOLUMNE LAWMAN
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Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #9 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.....
TUOLUMNE LAWMAN
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Offline smoke

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #10 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.

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Offline Robert Swartz

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #11 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.
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Offline smoke

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #12 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.
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Offline Major 2

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #13 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
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Offline cpt dan blodgett

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #14 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.
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Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2021, 02:52:08 PM »
It still has the saddle ring and bar
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Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #16 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.
TUOLUMNE LAWMAN
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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #17 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.
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Offline Niederlander

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #18 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.
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Offline Tuolumne Lawman

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Re: H&R 1873 Trapdoor Carbine came my way
« Reply #19 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.
TUOLUMNE LAWMAN
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