H&R Trapdoor PISTOL !

[hobbyist0783]

Dear fellow members, - how many of you have seen an H&R Trapdoor pistol ?
Truth be told I've never seen one in any catalog or Shooters Bible or Gun Digest (I have a smattering of different years in my library from 1968-1998) and it behooves me when and how many of these were made ?  I bought this used at Navy Arms Co in 1987 when their showroom was in NJ, and it wasn't the only one on display. There was another one with a shorter bbl and different furniture, I believe it had a blued grip cap and front sight whereas on this one both are brass. Ever since then I've never seen another example except an orig at Springfield Armory National Historic Site and a beat-up parts-missing orig at a PA gun show. It's one of my top prized pieces simply for rarity I've never seen another one in 26 years ! - and oh is it dramatic to shoot with .45-70 BP in its 8-3/4" bbl ! A real show-stopper anytime I take it to the range, people enthusiastically ask, "Is that what I think it is ? - A Trapdoor PISTOL "  Yep, and I've never seen one on the internet either. So, I solicit your help friends, - was this an H&R factory item onceuponatime or a gunsmith's project ? I have no clue. Has the same "Cavalry Model 1873" breechblock as the well-known rifle commems, S/N is "S.A. 75xx" with four digits, weighs 4-1/2lbs and OAL is about 19-1/2".  Lovely isn't it ?  A public service from me to you fellow members who've perhaps never seen one, yes such a thing exists, - and to those of you who have any info on dates of mfg, qtys, or current valuation please hit me back.  Cheers, - Vince

[quickdtoo]

It's not in the current BBGV, maybe a gunsmith with too much time on his hands made it out of a model 171 1873, thanks for sharing. 

Tim

[hobbyist0783]

Yea Tim ! - I have the BBGV and other standard reference & valuation books too.
Even contacted H&R in the early 90's but they never sent me a reply.
The most quizzical oddball gun I ever purchased, and I'm happy to share the photo !
Hope it amuses everybody !  Heckuvit is, the stock is machined from two joined planks
lengthwise just like the orig at Spgfld Armory. Whether it was H&R or a gunsmith's work it's
quite authentically done. My "mystery pistol" still a mystery ! - Hope some other people on here chime-in what they know, but from me to you Tim, Thanks for your courteous reply !
Best ! - Vince

[Sprint]

hobbyist0783,
 
That is an interesting piece you have but was not made at the H&R factory. Val Forgett of Navy Arms purchased a lot of the remaining trapdoor inventory when H&R, Inc. closed through bankruptcy procedure.
 
It appears to me that the receiver with the "S.A." prefix may have been a leftover one from the  special Springfield Armory commemorative series that were silver plated.
 
I think the answer to the origin of you 45/70 pistol lies with Navy Arms.
 
Thanks for sharing,  Sprint
 

[hobbyist0783]

Dear Sprint, - Ahaaaaa you probably nailed it right on the money !
I didn't know / didn't remember Navy Arms bought-out parts from H&R bankruptsy, so it makes sense. In fact, you jogged my memory, I used to see Val around the store and I think it was even he who sold it to me personally. Wasn't a store where anyone had "celebrity status" (except when Cyd Caesar would drop-by, he was a big collector y'know), and Val was just one of the guys behind the counter. Miss those days, I can still see it in my mind, racks of weary Mausers, Martini's, Enfields, & Rolling Blocks anyone could handle, with the "good stuff" in special cases or behind the counter. Many Many Thanks for jogging my memory. I'll give Navy Arms a call, and kudos to this forum of so much knowledge and knowledgeable people willing to share their thoughts, Thanks again. - Vince in New Jersey.

[Spanky]

Just one word...
 
AWESOME.
 
 
 
Spanky

[PHATINJUN]

Very nice I love it when these things show up here for us all to enjoy even if it is just a picture and a story. Thanks for sharing. kurt