Springfield1866 trap door conversion 50-70

[blazinsun69]

I have an 1866 50-70 trap door conversion "short" rifle.
I know that some of these are parts only guns... but being a newbie.. need some advise.
what I would like to know... how do I tell the difference? and if this is one of the good ones..what would it be worth.. there is some rust but not serious.
Would be grateful for any help
I know nothing of computers...so would have to be led by hand to download pix.
but do have several uploaded to Flickr... under " desertsun69 " ... the first 3 pix are of another weapon I have
Larry

[Dick Hosmer]

Main points of a correct one: Barrel will be 36" (+/- 1/16") from tang joint to muzzle. Stock will have two bands properly spaced (19-1/8" from shoulder to shoulder) and will NOT have a band spring patch. Cleaning rod will screw into a keeper, and will be approximately 1-1/8" from muzzle when fully stowed. The stock wrist will be fully proportioned, with NO thinning. I paid $1100 for mine about four years ago and felt that I got a bargain, though the market is much softer now. They are legitimately scarce, but not in high demand. Most examples of 2-banded 1866s are the work of Bannerman et al, and those with the thinned wrists and untouched middle bands look particularly odd.

[george r]

I think your book is great and it greatly increased my understanding of the 1866. I still don't quite get the 19 1/8 measurement. Is it the distance inside the 2 bands say top of lower to bottom of upper? Or is it the pitch distance like centerline to centerline or top of lower to top of upper?

[Dick Hosmer]

It is the "pitch". While writing the book, I tried to think of one uniform way to express that dimension which would remove any variables in the bands, or how well they were seated, or whatever. Finally came up with the idea of ignoring the bands entirely and just measuring the stock shoulder spacing.