Neat. It is a shame the breech block and barrel bands were after market additions. The proper color of those guns and fixtures as they left Springfield Arsenal was bright polished steel. Anything else is incorrect and detracts value. Springfield used a very fine polish, something on the order of 2,000 or higher to give the guns a bright finish with no scratches.
Just picked up a Springfield model 1866 rifle at a yard sale. What do these rifles actually go for? I see listings from $800-$3000. I paid $550 for mine and it's in operational condition, but not a "collector's piece".
hat is about what it is worth, the 1866 was taken out of service in a few years and sold on the surplus market back in the 1870's so to find an example that is 100% correct and has not been messed with is not easy
TheKoba49 well I believe the one I bought is all original. Doesn't look tampered with. I showed it to a dealer who specializes in trap door rifles and he didn't mention anything like that. Thanks for the quick reply! Prob gonna clean it up and take it to the range.
I have one of these
Neat. It is a shame the breech block and barrel bands were after market additions. The proper color of those guns and fixtures as they left Springfield Arsenal was bright polished steel. Anything else is incorrect and detracts value. Springfield used a very fine polish, something on the order of 2,000 or higher to give the guns a bright finish with no scratches.
Just picked up a Springfield model 1866 rifle at a yard sale. What do these rifles actually go for? I see listings from $800-$3000. I paid $550 for mine and it's in operational condition, but not a "collector's piece".
hat is about what it is worth, the 1866 was taken out of service in a
few years and sold on the surplus market back in the 1870's so to find
an example that is 100% correct and has not been messed with is not easy
TheKoba49 well I believe the one I bought is all original. Doesn't look tampered with. I showed it to a dealer who specializes in trap door rifles and he didn't mention anything like that. Thanks for the quick reply! Prob gonna clean it up and take it to the range.