Unusual 'Tiger stripe' like wood on 1888 Springfield Trapdoor w/Ramrod .... ?

[Rat187]

I know, walnut, but it doesn't look like it.....Thanks

 

[mac1911]

Could be maple, might have been replaced at some point, could be beach or birch ?
Not to mention that there where wood workers then and now who knew how to bring out the grain.
Need some more pics.

 

[Boghog1]

It's junk, I'll give you $200 so you don't have to look at it any longer

in reality that looks like a beautiful piece

 

[Rat187]

Not sure if it's correctly called a 1884 Trapdoor w/RRB or a 'M84'. The serial # would indicate it's among one of the last produced.

 

[Rat187]

It was found in-between the studs/posts in a old house in Dover, some time ago. At the time I had a 34" Shiloh-Sharps rifle, so I had reloaded plenty of 45-70, took it down a hair. Took it to HSA and it shot a number of times and it functioned great.

 

[Mike 53]

View attachment 563722

I know, walnut, but it doesn't look like it.....Thanks

Beautiful wood in any case...I think it looks maple-ish.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

Beautiful rifle.

Bob

 

[Rat187]

Beautiful wood in any case...I think it looks maple-ish.

That's what I thought

 

[Rat187]

It's going up for sale on NES this weekend. PM me if interested

 

[fencer]

Did you buy that because it was designed the year you were born?

Just kidding buddy. Sweet rifle. I think that "striped" look is not that unusual. I googled images and even the wikipedia pic looked kinda tiger striped.

 

[Rat187]

Fencer are you fondling your buffington ...

 

[Sweeney]

It could be a faux tiger stripe finish. It looks as thought it has been sanded and refinished.

 

[Rat187]

Nah...Not faux tiger striped

 

[Sweeney]

Well, you can get striping in walnut so...

 

[Rat187]

Tiger striped or not I took my rifle completely apart...some pics. Very odd firing pin, brass color....? Also what's the lone '8' stamped on the lock ?

 

[Rat187]

I found nothing amiss except for the trapdoor firing pin channel which was fouled by crap. I had 2 FTF in 100 rounds and I'm sure it was gunk slowing the hammer strike..

 

[Rat187]

Tiger stripes under the hand guard

 

[mac1911]

Tiger stripes under the hand guardView attachment 566698

That stock should look really good cleaned up

 

[slipknot]

That first picture you posted looks like a dye stained Tiger Maple
You can see the depth because of the dye stain under that gloss finish. It is not a faux finish.

 

[Rat187]

That stock should look really good cleaned up

Want to make sure I do it right. Not positive if the finish is oil or varnish But I agree if done right it should look outstanding thanks Mac

 

[mac1911]

Want to make sure I do it right. Not positive if the finish is oil or varnish But I agree if done right it should look outstanding thanks Mac

Wish I had some advice for you.
Sometimes just a wipe with a warm dish soapy paper towel can be enough.
Take it for what its worth

restoration

For shooter value guns I often just use diluted simple green or purple power and cheese cloth for getting crud off.

 

[Sweeney]

The color of the firing pin is probably oxide from the hardening process.

That '8' is actually the 'S' from 'US' ... the 'U' is worn away.

The finish should be linseed oil. From your photos I'd say your rifle has a coat of wax applied.

 

[Rat187]

The color of the firing pin is probably oxide from the hardening process.

That '8' is actually the 'S' from 'US' ... the 'U' is worn away.

The finish should be linseed oil. From your photos I'd say your rifle has a coat of wax applied.

Might want to Look at this Trapdoor Firing Pins second sentence

 

[Sweeney]

Might want to Look at this Trapdoor Firing Pins second sentence

There you go. A simple test can be performed to determine what it is. Got a magnet?

 

[Rat187]

Don't need a magnet to tell if it's Brass and Al....it is.
I'm a bit stumped about if the firing pin assembly ,I miked it a .250" diameter spring length. I think it fell out when cleaning the barrel & receiver but not 100%...lol
Help
PS: it may have been forward of the firing pin...or got left during the pin change

 

[Sweeney]

That bronze pin shouldn't use a spring. It doesn't have the shoulder cut for one.
Apparently the springs had a tendency to break and were deemed unnecessary.

 

[Rat187]

That bronze pin shouldn't use a spring. It doesn't have the shoulder cut for one.
Apparently the springs had a tendency to break and were deemed unnecessary.

I just found out that the 'extra' spring that came out of the breech was a broken shell ejector spring, not a firing pin spring. Found one on e-Bay...Thanks

 

[Rat187]

I think I done on my 1884...Besides a cleaning and a close parts inspection I'm done with this puppy. I was surprised by the build quality, after 136 years the only thing if found was a broken shell extractor spring which was replaced.

Going to classifieds

 

[Rat187]

Not sure if it's correctly called a 1884 Trapdoor w/RRB or a 'M84'. The serial # would indicate it's among one of the last produced.

It's most likely correctly called a 'Model 1888' w/RRB....Trigger serration details, lot #, and cartouche date.

 

[Rat187]

Offered now, NES rifles for sale classified ads $950