1878 Springfield 45-70

AGE · 01-29-2005, 12:03 AM

LF Members,

My widowed sister in law has a 1878 Trapdoor 45-70 long barrel rifle. It's decent, complete and functional but awful dirty evidently from attic storage. Her deceased hubby evidently took it on trade for an unpaid business bill many years ago. Any ideas what this is worth or where I can learn a little more? I like old Colt SAA's but I don't do trapdoor 45-70's. Thanks in advance.

Ron Smith · 01-29-2005, 12:19 AM

Hi Al,
If it's in decent 90%+ condition after it's cleaned and is a run of the mill trapdoor. They sell for $800-$1000 on the average. If it's a three band cadet , $1200-$1500. There are different variations. With bayonet cleaning rods, etc.

Ron

Karl · 01-30-2005, 01:20 PM

AGE,

When it comes to determining value, the world of trapdoor springfields is about as complex as the world of 1911 colts or lugers. Dixie Gun Works keeps a large inventory of these. You might want to look at their website (www.dixiegunworks.com) or order their antique arms catalog (I count 31 trapdoors in the latest catalog). They also do appraisals if this is part of an estate settlement. By the way, if you are ever in NW Tennesse I highly recommend visiting Dixie Gun Works. KFS

Major Tom · 10-03-2017, 03:52 PM

No such thing as a "1878" trapdoor. Look closer with a magnifier and you will see that the '8' is a '3'. Very dirty, rusty?, probably $500. My pristine M1884 I bought for $1500.

Dick Herman · 10-04-2017, 03:32 PM

Check out this website. There are numerous items of interest including trapdoor values.

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/

01-29-2005, 12:03 AM	#1
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1878 Springfield 45-70 LF Members, My widowed sister in law has a 1878 Trapdoor 45-70 long barrel rifle. It's decent, complete and functional but awful dirty evidently from attic storage. Her deceased hubby evidently took it on trade for an unpaid business bill many years ago. Any ideas what this is worth or where I can learn a little more? I like old Colt SAA's but I don't do trapdoor 45-70's. Thanks in advance. __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

01-29-2005, 12:19 AM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Al, If it's in decent 90%+ condition after it's cleaned and is a run of the mill trapdoor. They sell for $800-$1000 on the average. If it's a three band cadet , $1200-$1500. There are different variations. With bayonet cleaning rods, etc. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-03-2017, 03:52 PM	#4
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 481 Thanks: 531 Thanked 226 Times in 123 Posts	No such thing as a "1878" trapdoor. Look closer with a magnifier and you will see that the '8' is a '3'. Very dirty, rusty?, probably $500. My pristine M1884 I bought for $1500. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

01-30-2005, 01:20 PM	#3
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 239 Times in 111 Posts	AGE, When it comes to determining value, the world of trapdoor springfields is about as complex as the world of 1911 colts or lugers. Dixie Gun Works keeps a large inventory of these. You might want to look at their website (www.dixiegunworks.com) or order their antique arms catalog (I count 31 trapdoors in the latest catalog). They also do appraisals if this is part of an estate settlement. By the way, if you are ever in NW Tennesse I highly recommend visiting Dixie Gun Works. KFS

10-04-2017, 03:32 PM	#5
Dick Herman User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 302 Thanks: 496 Thanked 354 Times in 138 Posts	Check out this website. There are numerous items of interest including trapdoor values. http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/