Unfired! Unfired?

[Mark Daiute]

"Unfired" "1884" trapdoor:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=234847851

what do you all think?

[Fred]

Al Frasca recently sold one ( 527557 ) in the same condition for $1,795.00 . It's a nice rifle, but all trapdoors have been fired at some time. This one, like all others had been fired in Springfield Armory before it could get the circle P stamp under the wrist.

[Major Tom]

Nice rifle, but, WAY over priced.

[Dick Hosmer]

It IS very nice, but I hope he really likes it, 'cause - at THAT price (at least 2.5X normal) he's gonna own it for a looooooooooong time!

Bought my "M1888" in the early 70s - pretty similar to that one and about 500 numbers away.

[John Sukey]

Probaly came from some State militia armoury, well taken care of, but certainly NOT unfired.

[Paladin]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=237202456

Doesnt even look like the latch hub is tarnished and you dont see too many with buttplates that nice. Doubt I'll be able to afford it though. This economy hasnt been good to a lot of us. :mad:

[Dan Shapiro]

Surprised there was no reserve.

[Dick Hosmer]

That's a very nice rifle - especially as it isn't 1889 dated, as most such are.

I'm not sure the "no reserve" decision was a very smart plan in this economy - he just might wind up losing it for less than it is worth; as that's easily a $2000 rifle. Of course, he probably paid $300 for it, like I did mine, but still . . .

The closets are beginning to give up their treasures, for very sad reasons, of course.

[Mike Josephic]

That rifle just sold for $1775 -- the buyer did well IMO.

[Johnny P]

During the 1920's the DCM sold trapdoor rifles for $1.25 used, and $1.50 new. Several years back in a nearby town an as new trapdoor sold at an auction of an old hardware store that dated back to the Civil War. The family said their grandfather or great grandfather had "ordered it from the government". A lot of as new trapdoors were probably released in this manner.

In gun collecting "unfired" as come to be accepted as being in unused condition rather than not actually being fired at any time.

[dave]

Dick, first you said rifle was overpriced by 2.5 times then later you say its a 2000 rifle? Did I miss something here?

[Mike Josephic]

There were two different rifles under discussion -- the first one had a "Buy it Now"
price of $4,500 and it was this one that was first mentioned in the thread and that
was called 2.5 times overpriced. The second, was the one that was discussed as being
worth at least $2K.

Mike