I know this might be an odd out in left field kind of question. I’ve got a friend trying. To sell a family members rifles after he passed. He has several 1865 Spencer rifles in fair to good condition. The two we are most curious on is he has 2 Springfield Trapdoors models 1884 with consecutive serial numbers that are in good to very good condition with mild pitting. Anyone wanna throw out an estimate of what they may be worth? I have photos I will share if anyone has a true idea of the cost.

Post the pics!! Some of us love olde weapons

Trapdoors went through a period of significant value growth about 10 years ago, then for some reason, the price bottomed out.
Selling as a pair with the oddity of consecutive serial numbers might bring $1500 to the right buyer if you are willing to be patient. All depends on condition. I typically see nice condition trapdoors go for 600-800 bucks.

The OP sent me some pics. I’m posting them for him.









Beezer I gave you the wrong website...it’s postimages.org , my bad

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeinNC,

Thanks for posting them for me.

I think captain127 is probably accurate on value. A friend to me, now gone had wood Library index drawers full of the lock works and spares for Springfields. I, over the years have lost interest in many antique arms, interesting as they are. I honestly have for decades confused Erskine Allin with Ethan Allen. I've had years back a small amount of .50-70 ammo. Also had fondled the later .45-70 guns. I cannot imagine men fireing on one another with such cartridges, even in black powder. The earlier rim fire and musket would have been equally devistating.

Thanks everyone. I will pass the info on. I’ve gotten about the same response on price from others including trapdoorcollectors.com thank you very much.

quote:

Originally posted by Beezer:
Thanks everyone. I will pass the info on. I’ve gotten about the same response on price from others including trapdoorcollectors.com thank you very much.

if you want another number (potentially) post it over on Jouster2 ,

Dick Hosmer is one of the go to guys in the Trapdoor world, he and the folks there are good to go

Trapdoor collector is the place to go for Springfield info,parts etc. There are a few others and google will take you there. They do have value beyond 'shooter' grade to collectors and they are getting hard to find again. Three areas to be of interest to collectors are the sights, cartouches, and accessories. Note they can be shot with smokeless powder (4198), check the Lyman data.