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Author Topic: Not Your Normal Trapdoor  (Read 9547 times)

Offline StrawHat

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Re: Not Your Normal Trapdoor
« Reply #15 on: January 26, 2016, 04:31:24 AM »
Here is a photo of the Mississippi Trapdoor next to an 1873 Springfield Trapdoor.  The stock on the Springfield is a quite a bit redder than on the replica.  However, I am not going to refinish it again.  Twice was enough.

Kevin
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www.NoonSharpening.com

Offline mazo kid

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Re: Not Your Normal Trapdoor
« Reply #16 on: January 26, 2016, 06:24:41 PM »
It appears the Italian stock was a light colored wood, while the original Trapdoor is walnut. Some of my original Trapdoor stocks are pretty dark too, but not as dark as the one you built. I understand about not wanting to re-do that stock again!

Offline StrawHat

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Re: Not Your Normal Trapdoor
« Reply #17 on: January 27, 2016, 04:27:15 AM »
It appears the Italian stock was a light colored wood, while the original Trapdoor is walnut. Some of my original Trapdoor stocks are pretty dark too, but not as dark as the one you built. I understand about not wanting to re-do that stock again!

Yes, a very blonde wood, not unlike freshly scraped maple.  In hindsight, rather than use a mahogany stain or even a cherry stain, I might have used a red dye like they use for leather.  That, followed by the ebony might have had better results.  But, not going to happen on this rifle.  Since that photo, it has darkened a bit and is very pleasing to the eye.

Kevin
Knowledge carried to the grave unshared, is wasted.

www.NoonSharpening.com

Offline StrawHat

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Re: Not Your Normal Trapdoor
« Reply #18 on: January 24, 2025, 03:55:35 PM »
Well, the old image disappeared.  Probably the hosting site I used wanted too much money.

So, eventually the red hickory got to me and I hauled out the scrapers and stripped it down to bare wood.  A five gallon pail of walnut hulls and some alcohol, mix and let sit, mix and let sit, repeat about once a week for the winter.  Got a beautiful black stain.

You can see the results.

Kevin
Knowledge carried to the grave unshared, is wasted.

www.NoonSharpening.com

Offline Hawg

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Re: Not Your Normal Trapdoor
« Reply #19 on: January 24, 2025, 04:14:07 PM »
That sho be lookin good. (7&
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and tasteth good with ketchup.

Offline Captainkirk

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Re: Not Your Normal Trapdoor
« Reply #20 on: January 24, 2025, 08:49:08 PM »
That sho be lookin good. (7&

I'll second that emotion!  L@J
"You gonna pull those pistols, or whistle Dixie?"

Offline StrawHat

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Re: Not Your Normal Trapdoor
« Reply #21 on: February 02, 2025, 05:54:12 PM »
That sho be lookin good. (7&

I'll second that emotion!  L@J


Thank you both!  And it shoots as good as it looks.  Life is too short too short to use an ugly rifle.

Kevin
Knowledge carried to the grave unshared, is wasted.

www.NoonSharpening.com

Offline Bishop Creek

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Re: Not Your Normal Trapdoor
« Reply #22 on: February 02, 2025, 07:27:01 PM »
Beautiful rifle! I have always wanted one. First big bore rifle I ever fired at age 12 was a Springfield Trapdoor. And yes, it really kicked! Nice to see you back here Kevin!
My biggest concern is that when I pass away, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them.