I've been a reenactor now for some 16years. I have given some thought to eather making myself a new firearm or ordering one. Regardless of chooice. I was wondering if anyone knows how ifposable to convert my 1853 3band enfield into a trapdoor?
Or would I be better off ordering a new barrel to my chosen chamber and using that to start from?
Just keep in mind, I would have started doing my homework yet. I am at my collage waiting on the Mrs. to finnish the "Acuplacer" exam for entry into the collage. You know how some people are when they see gun related stuff.(corse here in maine there is not much problem with it. normaly get people saying how cool it is)
If you have advice, links, books, videos, or anything else please feel free to let me know or pm me. You can email me too @ sharpscarbine@gmail.com

Oh the reasoning behind the thought to convert is, the rifles used for the oridgnal trapdoor rifles were said rifles that were surplus from the civil war. We all know the government, trying to save money where they shouldnt and not where they should. So they took the surplus from the civil war and made trapdoors insted of adopting the henry or the sharps for example.

sounds cool, though i have zero knowledge on this one.

i bet you could find the patent document

The trap door recievers and parts are available. You'd need to sleave the barrel from .58 cal to 50 cal and chamber for the .50-70 gov't, to have the earliest Allan Conversion "trap door". I'm reasonably sure the .45 caliber barrels were made from new materials, not sleaved .58 cal musket barrles, but I very well could be wrong too.


For the .50-70, brass is available as are bullet molds and reloading dies.

Sounds like a fun project.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty Marlin:
The trap door recievers and parts are available. You'd need to sleave the barrel from .58 cal to 50 cal and chamber for the .50-70 gov't, to have the earliest Allan Conversion "trap door". I'm reasonably sure the .45 caliber barrels were made from new materials, not sleaved .58 cal musket barrles, but I very well could be wrong too.


For the .50-70, brass is available as are bullet molds and reloading dies.

Sounds like a fun project.

The brits had the same thing done to there rifles calling it the Synder. It was still .577cal. I more then likely spelled that wrong.
I did find some .577Snyder reloading dies, and brass. The first snyders were just like the us type rimfire, but then later converted to centerfire. Atleast blackpowder dosnt kick as hard as smokless! But I bet its still going to pack a punch!
I will keep posting photos as I move along with the project. I just wont do anything until I can get all the parts&tools. I m not going to ruin a $500 weapon!

Hi James.

Actually, the donors for the Allen Conversion trapdoors were 1861, 1863, and comparable Springfield Armory rifles. As mentioned, the Britsh adopted the Snyder conversion of the Enfield and retained the original barrels, hence the .577 designation. If you are going for historic authenticity, go for a Snyder conversion. I would look for an old Snyder with a trashed stock and/or barrel as an action donor, and marry the to parts from the reproduction 1853 to it.

Dave

It is Snider BTW. But that would be an easy conversion and rather fun too.

I know I'm stepping out there on this, but I think it's a stupid idea. If you want a trapdoor, buy one.

Your pretty smart John.
Butch

+1

Both gov'ts swere converting THOUSANDS of firearms and could justify the cost.

"I" would NOT convert an original "53 (rare & valued), and startong with a repop is not worth the gubsithing and the effeert.

Just buy a trapdoor. Go to a Good gun show and try to find an original Allen conversion. Cheaper in the long run.

Keith

Yes, the 1853s were made into breech loaders using the Snider patented procedure.

They were more like door hinges than trapdoors.

Here are some photographs.








You can buy one for about $500. See here.

Sniders for Sale

thanks Michael