Breech Loader Trapdoor

Yak1366

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Oct 22, 2017
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Ringgold, Georgia
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I'm reasonably sure this is the trapdoor mechanism from a Springfield breech loader. I'm no gun expert, so any help with identification is appreciated.

Been trying all morning to get this piece to burn in my electrolysis tank, so I apologize for the rusty pics. If I get it to go, I will post cleaned up pics.

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Upvote 18
nice find if it is
 

The shapr is the same hope it id Great relic I was hoping I could get out today as Im looking at hale falling down lol
 

Definitely what it is. Cool find! What is the history of the area you found that in?
 

Definitely what it is. Cool find! What is the history of the area you found that in?

This was dug on a property immediately adjacent & South of Chickamauga Battlefield. From 1863 maps, it was very close to a union line. Having been a horse boarding pasture for many years, 90% of the iron targets I have dug are of course, horseshoes or halves, so I generally don't bother digging them. This rang up a little different than a typical shoe and I'm glad I recovered it.

I'm thinking it maybe the 1873 Springfield version...
1873 Allin Springfield Trapdoor
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Nice piece of history! :icon_thumleft:
 

There it is.

I was looking for it on What -is it . Then got sidetracked with other posts & Shrimp.

I think you have a Winner there , there are so many similarities & 1873 would also work for yr area 'as you know'. When you get it cooked , the remaining Iron will look very good & detailed , It will look nice .

If you were close I cook it for you & that would give me an excuse to get my set up running .

Congratulations on a sweet historical find. Love them Bullets also.
Davey:thumbsup:
 

After electrolysis & oiling for preservation....
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A good deal of pitting from all those years in a horse pasture. Would have liked to see it turn out better but overall I'm happy with the results.
 

Congrats on the find and sorry that the restoration did not come out better! All too often, many folks associate the Springfield Trapdoor Rifles with the Civil War but that is incorrect. Allin started making transformations of muzzleloading rifles in 1865 and 1866 but the first trapdoor rifle wasn't built until 1868, modified in 1870, then the Trapdoor .45-70 Rifles and Carbines were produced in 1873. It is likely that the rifle or carbine which your' Trapdoor came from, was used by U.S. Troops keeping peace in a Post Civil War Georgia during the Reconstruction years in Georgia 1865 to 1871 and is likely from a Model 1868, Model 1869 or Model 1870 Springfield Rifle.
 

Nice find Yak, Congrats!!! "D"
 

I came here to ask how yr 'cooking' went , it looks good , great save Yak1366.

Thanks Davers!
Unfortunately time had its way with the part.
 

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