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Presto Pressure Cooker Sealing Ring/Overpressure Plug Pack (4 & 6 Quart) $4.50 For Presto pressure cookers and canners. Fits model... |
Is an antique Sprinfield Trapdoor rifle devalued if plugged up?
Hi, I have springfield rifle mfg in early 1892. I found most of the information I was looking for researching online. I am having trouble finding an answer to this question. The rifle has what I believe all original parts, is in great condition, the parts work properly and has a great patina with normal wear. It has been plugged up with some kind of silver metal so you can't fire the weapon. Does this devalue this antique? My thought is it may have been plugged up to use as a training tool for National Guard for recruits. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance:) Niteowl
For a while, barrel plugging was a common method of deactivating guns. A metal bar was driven into the end of the barrel where it friction-fit. In Great Britian, deactivated guns such as this are legal for collecting, and sometimes they wind up back home in the U.S. years later, still plugged. If the plug is in the end of the barrel instead of the chamber, this may be what happened here.
Training weapons generally are plugged in the chamber to prevent the insertion of live ammo. If soft metal such as lead was used, the rifles could be returned to service if needed in the future. This happened to a lot of 1903 Springfields so I've read. Some of the 1903's were plugged only at the end of the barrel, and the firing pin hole in the bolt was welded shut to make them safe for newbees.
Another possibility, since you say the metal is "bright", is that someone has attempted to do a chamber cast to determine the rifles chambering. Not all trapdoor's were in 45-70. There were rifles made in 50-70 and 45-90 as well, perhaps others . The idea behind a chamber cast is to pour lead down the barrel, let it harden, then drive it back out with a rod and measure the chamber dimensions.
In either case, there is a possibility that the plug can be driven out of the barrel. measure from the unplugged end with a cleaning rod to determine if the plug is long or short, then obtain a piece of steel rod from a hardware store of about 35-40 caliber diameter, secure the gun in a padded vice, and see if it won't hammer out.
It could always be drilled out by a barrelmaker as well.
A plugged barrel does somewhat diminish the value of this rifle, but not entirely.
The Tennessee Insider - National Antique Mall
