1882 Springfield Trapdoor

[snookkrook]

I recently acquired this rifle. It is a 1882 Springfield Trapdoor 45-70. The serial number is 199819. The barrel length is 32.5" so not the short. I am looking for any information on the history of this firearm. Thank you!

 

[Talyn]

Are you sure its an 1882? The experimental 1882 was the short rifle with a 28" barrel, compared to the 1873's 32.5". The 1884's had a 32.6" barrel. They only made 52 1882's according to this.

Springfield Model 1882 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

IMO you have a converted 1873 which would put your serial # into early 1883.

U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Production Serial Numbers - Springfield Armory National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

CAUTION: If your decide to shoot this gun MAKE SURE any ammo you use is NOT loaded for a modern .45-70 rifles, such as the Marlin lever action. The trapdoor action is not built to handle the pressures generated by modern smokeless ammo. Use ONLY ammunition specifically made for the .45/70 Trapdoor.

 

[Recusant]

CAUTION: If your decide to shoot this gun MAKE SURE any ammo you use is NOT loaded for a modern .45-70 rifles, such as the Marlin lever action. The trapdoor action is not built to handle the pressures generated by modern smokeless ammo. Use ONLY ammunition specifically made for the .45/70 Trapdoor.

Also modern jacketed ammo will damage the barrel. The barrel on those were made of soft steel by today's standards.