Reproduction parts question

[mr.j]

Is there a for sure way to tell repo 1873 td parts from real ones? Is there a good book out there that may help with this. It seems that the small parts are reproduced easy bridals, screws etc, as i see them on some web sites. Does any one know if they are doing this with the larger parts such as Blocks, plates, receivers and so on?

[Dick Hosmer]

I would doubt VERY much that anyone would reproduce the large parts, due to the expense, and the fact that they are NOT in short supply, at all. There is no book (of which I am aware) specifically oriented towards parts identification, especially one with a view as to what is fake and what isn't.

A possible exception would be cleaning rods - and there, you just have to learn what is "right". Many books show genuine examples, in guns, but AFAIK no one has cataloged the numerous different phonies.

I guess not too many people would care if a bridle was not an original, but I still don't see a problem with the existing supply.

Fit and workmanship might be an issue, since I'd guess that most repro parts are investment cast by the Chinese. You could not charge enough to actually machine such items here.

Check out the numerous parts suppliers at www.trapdoorcollector.com

[mr.j]

TD Parts made in china! should be a sin to do so.

[Stephan]

When I got my Trapdoor rifle it was a bit rough. I replaced the rear sight base and leaf spring with original parts...and my retired gunsmith pal had a new screw kit which he offered me.

I robbed a couple needed screws from his kit..and they were a perfect fit..but in the white..and the heads were/are somewhat different from the originals.

[Gus Fisher]

Unless I'm mistaken, most of the internal lockparts are the same as 1855 - 1863 with a noticeable exception of the sear THOUGH they will interchange. The Trapdoor sear is not nearly as "beefy" in front as the early rifled musket sears. There still are GOBS of original lock screws for them.

[Dick Hosmer]

Well, yes and no - the musket plates are thicker, so all the screws (and the tumbler shaft) are longer. Bridles and sears are similar, though there two styles of .45-70 sear, due to the addition of the safety notch.

But, parts are still plentiful. The sole exception that I can think of is the cleaning rod.