Original item: One of a Kind. Over the years, IMA has purchased many collections and groups of antique guns, in which case we need to take all of them, as we did in Nepal. While these collections were generally full of guns that relatively good condition, they also had some that were less complete and unfortunately would take more restoration time than we were able to give them. We kept them in storage, possibly for future products, but have now decided to offer these "As Found" antique firearms to our customers as restoration projects. These are all original and as we received them, except for cleaning the dirt and grime off the exterior.

Please note that these are still real antique guns, and are being sold in "As is" condition at a significant discount from what they would sell at if we were to fully restore them. We will do our best to photograph and describe them and know that our customers will know exactly what they are getting. Some of these, such as this example, look to have possibly been project or parts guns, and are missing a significant amount of parts. These are being sold in "Grade 2" condition, and on these ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

This rifle started out as a Civil War Springfield Rifle Musket, dated 1864, made by SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, as indicated on the lock plate. There is also the "Spread Eagle" over U.S. marking, indicating military production. 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" breach 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.

Originally, the trapdoor Springfields were created to convert Model 1863 Springfield rifled muskets to breech-loading rifles at a relatively low cost. This conversion consisted of replacing the percussion lock with the breech-loading trapdoor mechanism, and relining the barrels to convert them from .58 to .50 caliber. This proved problematic, because in the field, the lining tended to separate from the barrel.

To correct this problem, the Model 1868 used a new barrel instead of relining the original older barrel. The new barrel was slightly shorter, 32.5 inches, compared to the 36.5-inch barrel used on the Model 1866. The shorter barrel was affixed using only two barrel bands, instead of the three used on the Model 1866. Since it lacked the middle barrel band, the sling was affixed to the upper barrel band instead. The Model 1868 also differed from previous models in that it used a separate Allin type receiver with the barrel attached to it. The Model 1868 was also the first trapdoor conversion to use the cartridge extractor covered by U.S. Patent No. 68,009, issued August 27, 1867 to W.H. & G.W. Miller. The Model 1868 had an overall length of 51 7/8 inches.

Over 50,000 Model 1868 rifles were manufactured, chambered for the .50-70 450 cartridge. The model 1868 was then further refined, producing the model 1870, which had some incremental improvements. There were two versions of the Springfield model 1870, which differed slightly from each other. The first version was produced in 1870 and 1871. The rear sight was improved, and the receiver was shortened to create the model 1870 receiver. The rear sight on the first model 1870 was almost against the receiver. 1,000 of these rifles were manufactured.

The second version, which we have here, was produced in 1872 and 1873. In this version the rear sight was moved up so that it was about half an inch away from the receiver. The second version model 1870s also had a long high arch on the underside of the breech block, which differed from the first version which had a shorter arch identical to the Model 1868. 10,000 of the second version were manufactured.

This model served as the basis for the definitive Model 1873 "Trapdoor Springfield" series of rifles in .45-70 caliber, which was adopted in 1873 as the standard military longarm of the United States armed forces for the next 20 years. 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 "relic" condition, the lock is dated 18643 across the tail and has an EAGLE over U.S. over SPRINGFIELD, indicating original manufacture at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Breech Block is marked with MODEL / 1870 / Eagle's Head / Crossed Arrows / U.S., the correct marking for the 2nd version of the breech block. It has the correct long high arch on the underside, and an intact ejector, which we have not tested with actual brass. This is a rare "relic condition" U.S. Military Rifle that led to the the legendary Model of 1873, complete with a relic condition bayonet.

The stock for this example is in fact one that has been adapted from a later Model 1884 Springfield Trapdoor, and has the correct lower barrel band with the "scoop" for a Buffington sight. It even has a fully legible SWP / 1889 cartouche, for inspection by Samuel W. Porter, who was the Master Armorer and Chief Inspector of Springfield Armory from 15 September 1879 to 18 June 1894. We have never seen one of these so converted at arsenal, but wherever it was done, it had the stock changed out quite some time ago. There look to be traces of nickel plating on the barrel / receiver under the woodline, so maybe it was a parade rifle at some point.

Condition Notes:
- Overall condition shows light corrosion to all exterior metal surfaces.
- Rear sight has is missing the slider.
- Lock is fully functional. Ejector moves but the spring is broken.
- Bore still shows rifling but also areas of oxidation.
- Stock is cracked almost all the way through at the wrist, and is not the correct stock for this model of rifle.

A nice "relic" or "barn fresh" example of the M-1870 Converted rifle, with some great display potential. If you were looking for a nice project, this could be it! Please make sure to look at all the pictures before purchasing, as ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1864 - Converted c.1872-1873 - Stock made 1889
Caliber: .50-70 government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 51 3/4 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.