Item:
ON12391

Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Converted to Flintlock Prop Gun for 1957 “Raintree County” M.G.M Movie - Missing Buttstock

Item Description

Original Item: Only One available. This gun is a flintlock of sorts, and is either a great piece of movie memorabilia, or a waste of what was a nice U.S. SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR in 45/70 Caliber. From what we can tell, it was a model 1884 Trapdoor rifle, which was purchased by movie armorers to use as a blank firing gun. It may have had the barrel shortened a bit before or during this time.

The front nose cap has been covered or replaced with a "flintlock style" nose fitting, and hammer and breech block have had brass components added, which make it look very much like a flintlock at first glance. These guns were often seen in the distance, and not given close ups, so being entirely historically accurate was not important.

Apparently this gun's service may not have stopped at that point, as the butt stock looks to have been later sawn off, and pencil marks are there, along with some drilled holes, that show no signs of having ever had anything attached. Most likely it was being readied for another project, and needed a different butt stock, but then for some reason the further modification was never completed.

Even with all of this, the gun still has the original markings visible on the breech block:

U.S.
MODEL
1884

The lock plate is also marked U.S. / SPRINGFIELD next to the Federal Eagle, and the receiver serial number 235228 is still visible as well, which indicates manufacture in 1884. The breech block and action still open, close, and dry fire, and the ejector does look to be functional. It is fitted with a white leather sling, similar to those used by British forces for decades.

There is an auction tag on the gun, stating "RAINTREE COUNTY MGM 1957 / FLINTLOCK RIFLE RIFLE, along with an asset tag. This was an American epic historical romance film based on a book, set during the onset of the U.S. Civil War. The movie starred Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, and Eva Marie Saint, and as flintlocks were definitely still in use at the time, they needed ones on set that could fire when needed. The gun has definitely seen quite a bit of use and history since then, but just maybe you can pick it out somewhere in the movie!

A very nice Movie Gun from a well known movie, Ready to display or restore!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1882 - converted c.1957
Caliber: .45-70 Government - BLANK ONLY
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 31 Inches

Overall Length: 40 Inches
Action type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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