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This trial was designed to find a rifle more in line with their preference toward range and power than the Model 1870 being “test driven” by soldiers in the field. Then, on September 3, 1872, the Board of Army Officers held another trial. This went on for about five years from National Armory’s Model 1865 to its Model 1870. As reports came in from the field in subsequent years, the rifle would be adapted, redesigned and replaced in the field in small numbers.
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Armory at Springfield, later just “Springfield”) design, now referred to as the “First Allin.” However, this “adoption” was more of a test drive than a final acceptance. The Board adopted the National Armory’s (a.k.a. Single-shot rifles were thought to force a more efficient use of ammunition.The Board’s priority of long-range accuracy over rate of fire.It looked similar to proven guns of the past, especially with its pronounced hammer.Single shots were viewed as more reliable and rugged than repeaters or magazine rifles.(Money was an important factor given the War Department’s newly slashed budget.) It used existing materials, thereby saving money and manufacturing time.
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This appealed to the Board for a number of reasons: Allin, was to take the existing Civil War muzzle-loaders, of which there were thousands, and convert them by adding the now well-known “trap door” to the receiver. The idea of the Master Armorer at the U.S. This led to the formation of an Army Board who, in 1865, would host trials for different rifles by makers both foreign and domestic. To be specific, it wanted a breech-loading rifle that would chamber a self-primed, metallic cartridge. Rare Early Springfield Armory Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle with Rare Metcalfe Device Breech from above of the Officer’s Model 1875 Origins…What Role Did the Springfield Trapdoor Play in History?Īfter the Civil War, the War Department wanted a breech-loading rifle. Today we discover a bit more of this rifle, its origins, the question of its performance, and its role in history. Militarily, it represents the watershed transition for U.S. It also played a role in the wars against the Native Americans. The Springfield Trapdoor would kill buffalo by the thousands as America expanded westward. The rifle would take its place in history just after the Civil War-despite the justifiable hesitation of many military personnel who were all too aware of the superiority of repeaters and magazine fed rifles. Produced for over 20 years, the Springfield Trapdoor experienced many changes throughout its life. Does not come with cleaning rod.In terms of American military long arms, very little attention is given to a predecessor of the much-heralded M1903 and M1 Garand, the Springfield Trapdoor. There are just a few small dings in the wood around the trigger guard and one further down. The stock is very nice and may have been lightly sanded. The is also some wear on the side plate and tang just behind the trigger. The most noticeable sign of wear is the wear in the original case-hardening on the receiver. Overall, the gun is in very nice condition. The second "3" in the "Model 1873" has a hard strike, so it looks like it says "Model 1878". The left side of the barrel has the proper military proofs, and the left side of the stock has the proper military inspection stamp, although it is faint. This one also comes with an original US-marked bayonet and scabbard. It was superseded by an improved model, the Springfield Model 1884, also in. The infantry rifle model featured a 325⁄8-inch (829 mm) barrel, while the cavalry carbine used a 22-inch (560 mm) barrel.
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The Model 1873 was the fifth variation of the Allin trapdoor design, and was named for its hinged breechblock, which opened like a trapdoor. The gun, in both full-length and carbine versions, was widely used in subsequent battles against Native Americans. The Springfield Model 1873 was the first standard-issue breech-loading rifle adopted by the United States Army. 1/7/22 - This is a very nice example of a Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor rifle.