Rick: If you get the chance I have posted some pics and a question about an 1873 that some are now telling me is a Cadet while others say if it is it's been messed with as the barrel, depending on how you measure it is too short. 24 inches is my best guess The odd thing to me is that the stock seems right in relation to the barrel. I wonder why someone would cut five inches off the barrel and rework the stock re-positioning the front barrel band and it's clip. As I said if you have the chance. I know it's the holiday season so I understand you have other stuff going on. I just saw some comments you had made in a thread back in 2011 so I thought I ask for your thoughts. The thread is up now "1873 Springfield Trapdoor Cadet???" In the American Arsenal group.