Brother made me do it.

[SA1911a1]

My brother wants to bid on a 1873 Springfield trapdoor, with original bayonet, in what he describes as good condition. Since I know nothing about these, and he knows less than I do, can someone give me a minimum value for one of these, so I can get him off my back.

[Darryl]

I've been trying to get up to speed on the trapdoors. They are all over the place depending on condition and what is on them. I think year has a big thing to do with them also.

I'd just look at the "closed auctions" on gunbroker if I were you. Try to match them up to the one you are looking at. I've seen them go for as little as $500 and on up to $1500. I'm trying to figure out what makes the difference.

JYD I'll bet can answer this one!

Dolk

[SA1911a1]

Thank you, I think I will call my brother back and tell him not to let anyone walk away with it for under $5,000.00.

That will break him from sucking eggs.

[Junk Yard Dog]

For a clean 1873 with a decent bore you can expect to drop $950-$1200, add $100 for the bayonet, $400 if it's a special bayonet like the shovel tipped one. Price goes up if the serial number is in the Springfield Armory historical associations books, if that number can be traced to some great historical event like say if was issued to some outfit that fought for the San Juan heights in 1898 then you can pretty much double the price. I would strongly suggest investing in one of the fine books available exclusively on the subject of the Trapdoor rifles before buying one, it will give you a good idea what you are looking at, and what should , or should not be on the rifle, proper markings and so on. With these you are getting into real money territory, pays to go armed with knowledge before hand.