51,389 Model 1868 Trapdoor Rifles were manufactured, but they were relatively quickly replaced by the Model 1873s and subsequent .45-70 models. These early "Big .50" Trapdoor rifles and the later .45-70 models were widely used in the West and became popular with buffalo hunters. This rifle from the western collection of John Fox and was period modified by fitting a dovetail mounted Rocky Mountain blade front sight with antique ivory insert on the barrel, a dovetailed U-notch rear sight on the front of the frame, and a screw through the stock by the trigger to lighten the trigger pull. The barrel also retains the standard notch and folding ladder rear sight. The frame and barrel have the matching serial number. The breechblock is dated "1869" and the lock is dated "1863." The various models of trapdoor rifles were popular on the frontier, including rifles picked up off the battlefields by Native American warriors during the Indian Wars. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Fine as "frontier issued" overall with a mottled blend of gray and brown patina, and minor oxidation typical of firearms used by buffalo hunters, scouts, and others on the western frontier, and moderate overall wear, especially on the stock which has numerous scrapes and dings, a few minor cracks and small chips, and visible cartouches. Mechanically fine. This rifle has a lot of frontier appeal.