trapdoor springfield - The Firearms Forum

Chief101 · 05-17-2004, 10:12 PM

I bought a trapdoor springfield based on Fjestads and information on the net. Since then I have been reading more about the rifles and am wondering what my rifle may be worth.

Its marked a Model 1884 but has the the rod bayonet and the clear cartouche says it was made in 1890. Its in great shape. Can anyone give me some idea of its worth? Be glad to email pics if any of you trapdoor collectors want to see it.

Just as a side note my mayor was a major in the army and got shot up in Vietnam and got a medical dishcharge in the 60's. His wife got it for him as a gift and its sat in a closet ever since. its a neat old rifle.......

Thanks for any info you may provide.

Steve

Silver72 · 05-19-2004, 12:35 PM

Your 1884 Trapdoor is like mine. Many of these guns were returned to arsenals for rebuilding. The mark of 1884, and the inspectors mark of 1890 would indicate this was done to our guns. The War Dept. put about 32,000 .45 trapdoors up for sale for $.75 ea. These could not be sold to individuals, therefore several retail firms bought them. An old 1902 Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog offered them for $2.75 with a bayonet and 20 rounds of ammo. All were disposed of by 1939. Trapdoors are seen at just about every gun show and are found on internet auctions. Asking prices vary greatly with condition, $550 to well over $1,000.

goebel32 · 06-10-2004, 09:13 AM

I have one almost like it, except mine has a 32" bbl. The Cadet model. I'd like to sell mine, if anyone is interested. My email is goebel32@hotmail.com. Thanks, Jack

SouthernMoss · 06-10-2004, 09:34 AM

Goebel32, we have a Buy/Sell/Trade forum if you'd like to make a post there to advertise your rifle.

And BTW, welcome to TFF!

inplanotx · 06-10-2004, 09:48 AM

Goebel32 wrote:

Quote:

I have one almost like it, except mine has a 32" bbl. The Cadet model.

The cadet model had a 29.5" barrel. The standard issue was 32.75" with the carbine coming in at 22". I would say yours is not a cadet model, but a standard model. Maybe you should recheck the barrel length?

goebel32 · 06-11-2004, 09:44 AM

OK. And thanks, both of you. I'll check the bbl length. I don't know much about it, it has been in the gun cabinet since 1952. Someone once told me it was maybe worth a thousand dollars!!!!!!!! I would rate the wood and metal at about 85% but the bore is as bright and nice as new. I see them occassionaly in the Gun List for sale, in the 7-900 range but have no way of knowing where mine would rate. Anyway, I'm really enjoying the posts here. I spend almost all of my reading time over at Matt's place, the Firearms Enthusiast. But I do have a dozen or so old Mausers and Enfields, so maybe I'll check in here once in a while. Jack

Silver72 · 06-14-2004, 04:26 PM

Hmmmmmmm.....maybe I'll take mine to the next show and see if there are any inquiries.

05-17-2004, 10:12 PM	#1
Chief101 Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South East Arkansas Posts: 34	trapdoor springfield I bought a trapdoor springfield based on Fjestads and information on the net. Since then I have been reading more about the rifles and am wondering what my rifle may be worth. Its marked a Model 1884 but has the the rod bayonet and the clear cartouche says it was made in 1890. Its in great shape. Can anyone give me some idea of its worth? Be glad to email pics if any of you trapdoor collectors want to see it. Just as a side note my mayor was a major in the army and got shot up in Vietnam and got a medical dishcharge in the 60's. His wife got it for him as a gift and its sat in a closet ever since. its a neat old rifle....... Thanks for any info you may provide. Steve __________________ More than one thug has told me that the only thing he really fears is an armed victim. Not police, not jail, not a jury. An everyday person with the means and ability to NOT be a victim................. -->

06-10-2004, 09:34 AM	#4
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Goebel32, we have a Buy/Sell/Trade forum if you'd like to make a post there to advertise your rifle. And BTW, welcome to TFF! __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

05-19-2004, 12:35 PM	#2
Silver72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 542	Your 1884 Trapdoor is like mine. Many of these guns were returned to arsenals for rebuilding. The mark of 1884, and the inspectors mark of 1890 would indicate this was done to our guns. The War Dept. put about 32,000 .45 trapdoors up for sale for $.75 ea. These could not be sold to individuals, therefore several retail firms bought them. An old 1902 Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog offered them for $2.75 with a bayonet and 20 rounds of ammo. All were disposed of by 1939. Trapdoors are seen at just about every gun show and are found on internet auctions. Asking prices vary greatly with condition, $550 to well over $1,000.

06-10-2004, 09:13 AM	#3
goebel32 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 3	I have one almost like it, except mine has a 32" bbl. The Cadet model. I'd like to sell mine, if anyone is interested. My email is goebel32@hotmail.com. Thanks, Jack

06-11-2004, 09:44 AM	#6
goebel32 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 3	OK. And thanks, both of you. I'll check the bbl length. I don't know much about it, it has been in the gun cabinet since 1952. Someone once told me it was maybe worth a thousand dollars!!!!!!!! I would rate the wood and metal at about 85% but the bore is as bright and nice as new. I see them occassionaly in the Gun List for sale, in the 7-900 range but have no way of knowing where mine would rate. Anyway, I'm really enjoying the posts here. I spend almost all of my reading time over at Matt's place, the Firearms Enthusiast. But I do have a dozen or so old Mausers and Enfields, so maybe I'll check in here once in a while. Jack

06-14-2004, 04:26 PM	#7
Silver72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 542	Hmmmmmmm.....maybe I'll take mine to the next show and see if there are any inquiries.