1873 Trapdoor

[tonyb]

Can this be changed back to a front stuffer? What would I have to change?

Tony

[dennis g]

Never was a frontstuffer.

[Dan Mastin]

Years ago Numrich used to sell a kit, consisting of, if I remember correctly, a barrel and hammer to turn a 45/70 into a .45 cal muzzleloader. Haven't seen one in years but maybe if you get the word out someone, somewhere has one squirreled away.

Dan M
2929V

[tonyb]

Maybe I'm thinking of another gun?!?

[ian45662]

The 50/70 was a front stuffer at one time.

[Southron Sr.]

The early Allin conversions like the M1865, M1866 & M1868 and others were simply muzzleloaders (usually M1864 Springfields] converted to breechloaders. This involved cutting off the percussion breech section and then screwing the barrel into the new "Trapdoor" breech section. In addition, the rear section of the barrel channel in the stock was opened up some so the Trapdoor breech section would seat in it.

The percussion hammer was exchanged for one that was designed to work with the Trapdoor section.

'Theoretically, one of these conversions could be re-converted to a muzzleloader by:

[1] Glass bedding the muzzleloading barrel in the stock. This would fill up the section of the stock channel that was cut out for the Trapdoor action.

[2] Taking off the Trapdoor Hammer and replaceing it with a Percussion Hammer.

Of course, re-converting one of these guns back to a muzzleloader would destroy a lot of its "Collector's Value."

[dennis g]

The M1868 was never a muzzleloader. It only used surplus parts, lockplate, barrel bands, buttplate, etc.

[MR. GADGET]

Yep just the Allin was a front stuffer to start.
Mine has the old wood, lock, lined barrel 58 to 50 cal and the screwed on trapdoor.
But to change it out the change would take finding a old parrel and parts to keep the same $$ range as it is now.
Other then that I would loose money doing the change out.

If you have one and looking something to shoot in the N-SSA, then sell it off and you will have good money to start up with a gun, mold, lead and other stuff.
Most 45-70 and 50-70 I see are in the 700-900 range.

[tonyb]

Thanks for the info.

[ken s]

sell the trapdoor and buy a frontstuffer.....why do all the work and expense and have a put together gun?
sure it will work, but the barrel may not fit right and then not be accurate...If you do replace the barrel, bed the breach at least or you could crack the stock... Ken

[Southron Sr.]

If you are planning shooting in the N-SSA a 1873 Trapdoor "converted" to a muzzleloader would not be allowed, period.

The best Skirmish gun out there right now (excluding the $2,000.00 custom built guns) is the Pedersoli replica of the 1858 Enfield Naval Rifle.

[Ron/The Old Reb]

Why would you want to change it to a front stuffer anyway.:confused:

[hawkeye2]

"In addition, the rear section of the barrel channel in the stock was opened up some so the Trapdoor breech section would seat in it."

I have a '68 with a .58 cal. Numrich barrel in it shortened to "artillery length" and other than the cutout for the ejector spring there was no additional inletting at the breech area done. All that needed to be done was to remove the original barrel and action. drop in a '63 barrel and change out the hammer for a '63.

"If you are planning shooting in the N-SSA a 1873 Trapdoor "converted" to a muzzleloader would not be allowed, period."

I have a SAC card for it and at one time there were a fair number of these being used but what you say about the '73 is true.

[John Holland]

Hawkeye2,

Do not lose the SAC card for your 1868/1863 Artillery musket! That version is no longer recognised for use in the N-SSA due to the barrel band spacing on a Model 1868 stock being incorrect for what is now allowed for the 1863 Artillery muskets.

I only say this so the SAC doesn't suddenly receive a plethora of 1863 Artillery muskets using Model 1868 Trapdoor stocks.

John Holland
Chairman, SAC