ASSRA Forum › General › Rifle Photos › A Frontier Trapdoor
(Moderator Group: Moderator)
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Send TopicPrint
Normal Topic A Frontier Trapdoor (Read 5735 times)
JerryH
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


ASSRA Member #10876

Posts: 1241
Location: Easton, CA
Joined: Nov 9th, 2014
A Frontier Trapdoor
Oct 21st, 2017 at 10:00pm
Print Post  
To me this looks like a Trapdoor built by a frontier gunsmith without much concern about looks, only about using available parts and having a functional rifle.

The stock is a cut-down rifle stock (1888 cartouche) with the barrel band held in place by a pinned on piece of walnut. The barrel is a rifle barrel that has been shortened to 24.5 inches with the original front sight base (with carbine blade) reinstalled. A Hawken style trigger guard is married to an original Trapdoor trigger plate, using an early smooth trigger. The rear sight is a 6th variation '79 Buckthorn. The serial number puts this action in 1887, and the breech block, barrel, and lock are of the same vintage.

The original wood and metal are as found with some light cleaning, but leaving all the bumps and bruises from 130 years of use.

I can see a rifle like this being used well into the 1900's in some desolate locations. I have not had a chance to shoot this one yet, but plan to have some fun with it soon.

JerryH
  
I'm not a complete idiot, some of my parts are missing.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Bill Lawrence
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1037
Joined: Mar 17th, 2014
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #1 - Oct 21st, 2017 at 10:55pm
Print Post  
... built by a frontier gunsmith without much concern about looks

While this is certainly not the prettiest sporterized trapdoor I've seen, for me it has its own panache, and the quality and cleverness of the work is more than just ok.  In short, JerryH, I don't think you need to apologize for this rifle in any way.  Great find!

Bill Lawrence
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
PORK AND BEANS
Junior Member
**
Offline



Posts: 64
Location: clovis,ca
Joined: Sep 13th, 2009
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #2 - Oct 22nd, 2017 at 10:30am
Print Post  
I would be proud to carry this fine looking rifle in the field. Hope to soon see some hunting pictures.
Rich$
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Tom_Trevor assra life no.71
Oldtimer
*****
Offline


Tom Trevor

Posts: 692
Location: Granada Hills Ca.
Joined: Jun 16th, 2004
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #3 - Oct 22nd, 2017 at 6:50pm
Print Post  
Very nice job whoever did it.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
DWT1885
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 396
Location: New Jersey
Joined: Nov 25th, 2010
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #4 - Oct 22nd, 2017 at 7:55pm
Print Post  
Hey Jerry, Not much to say but that is a neat rifle. Dale.
  
35th Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang AB, RVN, May 70-71.
All gave some, some gave all.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 16111
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #5 - Oct 22nd, 2017 at 9:53pm
Print Post  
I think it's perfect Jerry! I once owned a very similar Trapdoor, but not as nicely finished as yours! Had it been, I might still own it!
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
SSShooter
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2917
Location: Southern NJ
Joined: Aug 1st, 2010
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #6 - Oct 28th, 2017 at 7:34pm
Print Post  
Indeed......... the "real" gun that won the west.

For all you TD shooters, the "Trapdoor Challenge" was just completed as part of the SE Regional BPTR/BPCR 4-day match at the Riverbend Gun Club outside of Dawsonville, GA. The seven (7) TD shooters (out of a total of 27) shot the same 200/300/600yd 30-shot match each of the first 2-days that the rest of us shot. While not a sanctioned match, the existing 'military BP' national record at 300yd was tied (94) and the 30-shot national record was broken by 5pts (281-5X) and the 2-day 60-shot record was broken by 2pts (550-10X) by Deadeye Bly. John won a "Woody Box" in black walnut for his efforts. If you've got a TD (must be original with no mods other than those allowed by NRA rules) and think you can shoot your TD you should plan to attend the 2018 match. Some pretty fancy shooting with original rifles and 4 1/2# triggers.
  
Glenn - 2x CPA 44 1/2 w/22LR (Shilen ratchet-rifled & Bartlein 5R rifled), 38-40RH & 38-55WCF (Bartlein 5R rifled) & 40-65WCF (GrnMtn 'X') barrels
Back to top
GTalk  
IP Logged
 
Schuetzenmiester
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 6707
Location: Cool Wet Side of WA
Joined: Apr 27th, 2008
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #7 - Oct 28th, 2017 at 7:41pm
Print Post  
What positions do you use to shoot the trapdoor match.
  
"some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
SSShooter
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2917
Location: Southern NJ
Joined: Aug 1st, 2010
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #8 - Oct 30th, 2017 at 10:35am
Print Post  
Everyone shot prone off sticks at all distances. However, if you wish to shoot position I'm sure there would be no problem.
« Last Edit: Nov 3rd, 2017 at 5:31pm by SSShooter »  
Glenn - 2x CPA 44 1/2 w/22LR (Shilen ratchet-rifled & Bartlein 5R rifled), 38-40RH & 38-55WCF (Bartlein 5R rifled) & 40-65WCF (GrnMtn 'X') barrels
Back to top
GTalk  
IP Logged
 
LONG RANGE
Senior Forum Member
****
Offline



Posts: 414
Location: CHERRY VALLEY, CA
Joined: Oct 3rd, 2013
Re: A Frontier Trapdoor
Reply #9 - Oct 30th, 2017 at 3:28pm
Print Post  
It looks a lot like mine.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send TopicPrint
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
 
  « Board Index ‹ Board Top  

ASSRA Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.6.12!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2024. All Rights Reserved.

Valid RSS Valid XHTML Valid CSS Powered by Perl Source Forge

Page completed in 1.1443 seconds.