M1870 Trials Carbine - NOT!

[Dick Hosmer]

I hope nobody here is bidding on Gunbroker 160127339, in the hopes of scoring a GREAT rarity. I know it caught my eye, until Ed Hull brought me back to earth, by pointing out a few items.

Yes that IS the rare receiver, absent the swivel bar, and yes, that IS the rare sight PREP, though not the carbine version of the Springfield M68/70 sight. The improperly tapered (for a carbine) barrel is from a cutdown (sad in itself) M1870 Trials RIFLE, in what looks to be Navy carbine (a common gun) wood.

Now, it's just a shooter.

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks for the confirmation - seeing those pics for the first time sure made MY heart go pitty-pat for a few seconds.

As tough a find as the SA-Remington trials carbine is, the SA-Sharps is far worse! There actually are a handful of the former in collector hands, but I have never seen so much as a picture of the Sharps. Current thinking is that they were all rebuilt into sporting rifles after being turned in following their unsuccessful trial. Unlike the SA-Remington with its' unique receiver stamping, which will ID it forever, a disassembled Sharps would just melt away.

Still looking for the Allin (technically not YET the Model 1870) trials rifle - I have the carbine. They are out there (.50-70 SHORT receiver, rear sight TIGHT to it) and should not be expensive, but they are scarce. Will pay any reasonable price.

[Dick Hosmer]

Well - no one turned up an 1870 Allin trials rifle for me, but, I finally snagged a specimen anyhow - so, you can all stop looking! (BIG grin!) Now have 6 of the 8 trials arms from 1870. Both Allins, both Ward-Burtons, and the Remington and Sharps rifles. Funny that the last piece to fall into place would be a trapdoor, right back where I started 40+ years ago.

That will probably be the last purchase for my Springfield collection, unless I bump into a transformed .58, at a reasonable price. Everything else is WAAY out of reach.

[ehull]

Hi Dick,
Lost your email when my computer crashed.
There is a potentially "cheap" M1865 Allin .58 in the coming Little John's auction. Broken stock is cause of price.
Please write me; my email hasn't changed. Ed

[Dick Hosmer]

Hi, Ed, good to hear from you.

I sort of got out of the habit of visiting here. My email is: richardahosmer@comcast.net

I'll keep my eye open for 1868 serials for you.