My apologies to
@rmark (post #7), who identified the rifle before I submitted my post. I somehow overlooked his comments prior to entering my own. I did not see the 1884 date on the cartouche when I first looked through the photos. I think he was spot on in his identification.
The old Springfield locks from the muzzleloading era usually had a manufacturing date stamped on the lock plate aft of the hammer. The early trapdoors used surplus muzzleloader locks fitted with a new breechloader hammer, so it is common to see an M1873 Springfield with an 1864-dated lock. I don't see a date on this lockplate, which I would take to indicate later production, so the 1884 date on the stock fits. For those who are interested, the current (November 2023) issue of
American Rifleman has a terrific article about Springfield trapdoor rifles, with excellent illustrations and text walking you through the different models as they evolved.
I could not find the general information I sought on Numrich muzzleloader barrels, but in the back of the Dixie catalog I did find confirmation that the .45 caliber Hopkins & Allen reproduction rifles (made by Numrich) had an actual bore size of .443". I could not find anything about groove depth or twist, but I am as sure as I can be that these barrels were made for patched round balls.
Someone asked about the ramrod. You can get a high-quality reproduction rod for the trapdoor Springfield rifles from
Butch's Antique Gun Parts for $45. It's actually a cleaning rod, but it should fit the stock and also work as a loading rod.
Good luck with your sale,
@dogfood ! I hope this side chatter has not been too distracting. You have an interesting rifle at a fair price, and in my opinion it is a significant firearm in the history of modern muzzleloading.
Notchy Bob
