Item Description
Original Item: One Only. This is really a Peach! This rifle started out as a Civil War Springfield Rifle Musket, dated 1864, made by SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, as indicated on the lock plate. This particular rifle is technically a Model 1863, Type II, sometimes called the model 1864 due to the date. Around 700,000 of all Model 1863 types were produced from 1863 until the end of the Civil War in 1865.
The U.S. Civil war had confirmed the adage of NEED is the Mother of INVENTION. Muzzle Loading Muskets and Rifles were extensively used but new developments continually resulted in a "fresh" breech loading system being adopted on a trial basis. The Union had as many as NINETEEN different systems issued during the war ,and the ALLIN system was a version that was considered a determination was made to standardize.
The Trapdoor system seemed to be the one that satisfied most authorities so more trials were held, and the trapdoor was adopted. The government then looked for for cost effective ways to modernize their rifles, and one way was to convert muzzle loading Rifle muskets to a breech loaders, as seen throughout the world.
The 1866 Trapdoor was made using a Civil War percussion Rifle which was made into a breech loader using a .50 cal barrel. and each years the system was improved until the finish result was the Model of 1873 which was adopted and remained until the Krag Rifle was introduced in the 1890s.
There is an excellent work "TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD" by Waite and Ernst published in 1980 that covered this very subject from 1865 - 1893. The very first Chapter is entitled "The ALLIN Breech-Loading System" which covers the Model Trap door rifle we offer here. The conversion made inventive use of the existing parts of the barrel, such as the cap lock bolster being turned into part of the breech lock system.
In fine condition, the lock is marked 1864 and an EAGLE over U.S. over SPRINGFIELD and the Breech Block is DATED 1866 with an Eagle head cartouche. This indicates the year of conversion, and this date ensures that it is a Second Allin conversion. The first conversion, the model 1865, used a .58 caliber cartridge, and was far less successful. It also had extraction problems, which were corrected with the 1866. This is a rare U.S. Military Rifle that led to the the legendary Springfield Trapdoor Model of 1873.
The stock is in very good condition with the expected dents and dings from age. It has a nice aged patina from years of polishing and wipe downs. The Metal components are in good condition, with the bright finish darkened to a salt and pepper look in many places. The bore is excellent, with a bright finish and crisp lands and grooves. The butt plate is marked U.S., and all three barrel bands are U marked.
Included with this lovely rifle is an original 1863 Springfield Bayonet in its original leather scabbard with integral leather frog. The bayonet itself is marked U.S. / J, as well as with 39, and is in very good condition, with a lot of the original finish present. No real issues or defects to speak of. The scabbard with frog has fared less well, and has deteriorated with age. One of the brass rivets for the frog is missing, and overall the leather is dry with a cracked finish. However, the leather is still pliable, and it fits the bayonet just fine.
An very example of the M-1866 Converted rifle, complete with bayonet and scabbard, Fully Cleaned and Ready to display and research!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1864 - Converted 1866
Caliber: .50-70 government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 36 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.
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