Added a "Cavalry Carbine" to the H&R 1873 Trapdoor Stable

[Noah Zark]

I came across a "Cavalry Model" H&R 1873 Trapdoor carbine this past week and added it to the Officer's Model and Infantry Musket H&R Trapdoors already in the collection:





The "Cavalry Model" carbine has a deep black-blue finish with "Cavalry Model" in script on the top-right side of the loading door. There is a sling bar and ring on the left side of the stock. The Carbine's finish and wood are flawless, despite the previous owner having fired it occasionally with only Remington factory 405 gr ammo. I negotiated to $600 OTD, and given the current cost of Italian Trapdoor carbine clones, I'm happy wit dat.

I've been looking for some time for a nice H&R Trapdoor Carbine with the conventional straight stock instead of the iridescent-plated steel pistol grip extension like was fitted to the H&R "Little Big Horn" trapdoor models and others. This "Cavalry Model" fits the bill nicely.

I've modified the loading gate latch shafts for both the Officers and Infantry Musket, drilling spotting recesses in the shafts and installing a short pointed set screw beneath the regular set screw to prevent loosening of the locking latch on the shaft. Now I have a project for this weekend if the weather's lousy . . .

Looking forward to trying my pet 45-70 load of 13 gr of Unique under a 400 gr cast flat point. That load shoots like gangbusters in the Officers and Infantry H&Rs.

Noah

[damienph]

Oh yeah! I think that you got a good deal on that. I've been wanting one of those for years but I've only seen a couple in the last 30 years or so and they weren't for sale.

[Pete44ru]

Nice set - Those H&R sure are nicely finished, and a joy to behold.

Although, I'm partial to that fancy OM........... .

.

[awp101]

You find the neatest toys...

[O.S.O.K.]

[Charles]

I had one of those some years back. The originals had a little trough or groove on top of the receiver ahead of the trapdoor breech block and the H & R lacked that feature. The result was, you could not get the sights down to hit at 100 yards because you could not see the notch that low. I took a file and cut the trough/notch and that cured the problem.

[Noah Zark]

I had one of those some years back. The originals had a little trough or groove on top of the receiver ahead of the trapdoor breech block and the H & R lacked that feature. The result was, you could not get the sights down to hit at 100 yards because you could not see the notch that low. I took a file and cut the trough/notch and that cured the problem.

I chose to raise the bridge on my H&R Traps -- I tapped in taller front sights with ivory beads.

GTG.

Noah

[Old Savage]

Nice.

[kimwcook]

Nice procurement.

[Ysabel Kid]

Very, very cool NZ!!!

[Old No7]

Very nice!

If anyone else wants a nice one just like it, I saw one for sale today, in great shape over in NH...

Just Google the phone number for the "Freedom Market" ( and gun shop ) over in Freedom, New Hampshire.

If I recall correctly, the asking price was, gulp... $475.00. (Sorry Noah...)

Old No7

[awp101]

Is the Officer Model the one in the center? I saw one just like it for $950 this weekend and didn't know if that was a good or bad price. Not that it mattered since I was $850 short but I filed it away for future reference.

[Sixgun]

Rick, Are you sure you were not at the Limerick, Pa auction on Saturday? I saw a dozen Trapdoors go off and several were NIB H&R's, one was all nickel plated and a one was just like yours. They all went for good money!---------------Sixgun

[JReed]

Very nice find What is your MV on that Unique load out of the infantry rifle?

[Noah Zark]

1) Andrew -- The middle Trapdoor is indeed the Officers Model.

B) Sixgun -- I was not at the Limerick auction. I don't do gun auctions, not since 1979.

iii) JReed -- Depends on the ambient and ammo temp, but it can do just under 1300 to just over 1300 from the Infantry Model, within +/- 30 to 40 FPS. Semper Fi.


Noah

[HEAD0001]

I have one of the Officer's Model. I really like mine. But as said above the front sight was too short. I also put a taller white bead on mine. The only thing I did not like about mine was the rear tang sight. They could have put a better ladder on the sight. The unmarked one they used just makes it hard to repeat. I put one of the painted archery stickers on mine, and that works OK.

I have heard a few people say they have a problem with the lid(not sure what the proper word is) popping up on their rifle. But I have never had a problem with mine. I did not do any after market work to the one I have. I shoot a load at about 1200 fps with a 405 grain cast bullet out of mine. It shoots very well. Milk jugs to 200 yards with no problem.

I paid $450 for mine about 10 to 12 years ago. Last one I saw at a gunshow, the fellow was asking $675.

I never did understand the reason for the ramrod. Could someone tell me why they put a ramrod on the rifle?? Thanks, Tom.

[Ray Newman]

It is not a ramrod, but rather a "wiping stick" or in modern terms, a cleaning rod.

What you refer to as the lid, is the breechblock.

[yooper2]

Trapdoors are about as addictive as leverguns. I have an original model 1884 that was my grandfathers. I took a whitetail doe with it when I was 13 (blackpowder and a 330gr. Gould hollowpoint). If I ever come across one of those Officers Models you better believe it'd be coming home with me.

Eric

[Cimarron]

I love my H & R Officers Model, I've had it over 25 years.