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Converted Springfield 1869 Trapdoor Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Converted Springfield 1869 Trapdoor Pistol
Elaborate copy of the rare Model 1869 Trapdoor pistol utilizing a Model 1879 receiver produced in 1880 & chambered in 45-70 Government. Fewer than 50 Model 1869 pistols were ever produced, they were built for field trials upon request of General W. Sherman. It is estimated that only 7 or 8 original pistol exist to this day, leaving a void in some collections, which leads to well constructed copies such as this. This pistol features a blued & case hardened finish, 8.25" barrel, custom large blade front sight, 'u' notched rear sight, "1863" dated lock, knurled hammer spur, shortened trigger, custom full length metal backstrap and walnut stock with round metal grip cap. Markings: Barrel - none. Receiver: "DEC/1869" over the chamber & "135580" on the rear flat. Breechblock: "U.S./MODEL/1869" Lock: [eagle/crossed arrows], "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" & "1863" on the tail. The barrel bears an old refinish which has drifted to a brown patina and shows two filled in screw holes likely from the rear sight in its original configuration. The backstrap & grip cap are finished in-the-white and the screw heads on the left side of the pistol appear to be ground down. The majority of the remaining metal surfaces have turned to a nicely age grey patina with some case colors present on the bottom of the breechblock and a darker patina observed on the trigger guard & hammer. Action is sound, the three land bore is very good+ with some scattered light rust and the wood stock is very good+ with a minor loss beneath the thumb piece. Condition is NRA Very Good as altered. ***Antique Firearm***