Original Item: Only One available. This is a very nice example of the classic Springfield trapdoor rifle, the weapon used, in its carbine form, by the troopers of the 7th Cavalry that met their fate at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. The breech block is marked:

Trapdoor rifles also saw service in the Spanish American War. Parts of the regular army were issued the new Krag rifles, while the guard and other units received the trapdoor. There are a number of stereopticon pictures that show guard units armed with of Springfield Trapdoor rifles.

Offered in very nice condition is this trapdoor rifle in .45-70 government caliber, Serial # 172755 with a faint "boxed" SWP ???? cartouche, overall good metal finish with all proofs still present. The serial number indicates production in approximately January-February 1882, per U.S. Government records. We also checked the Springfield Research Service records for Springfield Trapdoor rifles, and we actually found serial number "172755" listed! The entry has the information 98CO A 2ND NC VOL INF, meaning this rifle was issued in 1898 to Company A of the 2nd North Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Further research indicates that this regiment was mustered in on the 9th of May, 1898, and at that point had a total of 52 officers and 930 enlisted men in 12 companies. They saw service in the United States, and were deployed on the South East Coast. Unfortunately the unit was mustered out a month before the end of the war, and did not get to participate in any overseas action during the war. For more information please see this lovely article on the regiment: 2nd North Carolina Infantry Regiment.

The stock is in very good original condition, with lots of character and great grain. There are some small dents and scratches in the wood, as expected on a rifle this age, but the stock does not appear to have had any major repairs. The stock is at or below the level of the lock plate, so it definitely has been cleaned and serviced during its life, which has removed some of the wood from the stock.

The rifle is still completely in the Model 1873 configuration it was produced with, and did not receive any of the updates instituted in 1884. It still has the original smooth trigger, 2 piece trigger guard, standard ramrod, and Model 1879 rear ladder sight.

The bore is in very good condition, with a mostly bright finish and clear lands and grooves. There is definitely some wear on the lands, and some fouling in the grooves, as to be expected of a rifle that saw long service. It probably rates a 7 out of 10. The ejector is present, and functions correctly, though we have not tested it with real brass. The model 1879 rear sight works well, and has all the internal springs present as far as we can see.

The butt plate is marked U.S. and both barrel bands are U marked. Metal finish is a very nice aged plum patina, with some peppering and light pitting in areas, mainly on the butt plate. Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels with stacking swivel, standard model 1879 sliding sight, and standard ramrod. Lock is marked with a Federal Eagle and U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, indicating that it was manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield Massachusetts.

The elegant script SWP belongs to Samuel W. Porter, who was the Master Armorer and Chief Inspector of Springfield Armory from 15 September 1879 to 18 June 1894. The very faint stylized P in a circle under the wrist of the stock indicates that the rifle passed all of its overpressure proof testing. Additional marks of interest include inspectors' and proof marks around the breech end of the barrel: a capital R on top; a V over a P over an eagle's head over another P on the left side just above the stock. The upper right corner of the standard sliding sight leaf and the left side of the ramp are marked R to indicate that the sight graduations are for a rifle and not a carbine.

This is an great opportunity to pick up a very nice example of a classic U.S. issue firearm, issued to an identified unit during the Spanish-American war! In very good service used condition, this rifle is more than ready to to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1882
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 52 Inches
Action type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.