The stock on this example has been sanded down a bit, so it is only partly proud over the lock plate, however the markings are still present. 381 pages of invaluable information, published by Springfield Publishing of Northridge, California. 45-70 SPRINGFIELD written by Albert Frasca and Robert Hill in 1980. This information all comes from a wonderful Book :- THE.
The fact remains that the MODEL 1873 Cadet Rifle is twenty times harder to find than the standard 1873 Infantry Rifle. Later Model 1884 Rifles and Cadet Rifles were still being made or converted from long to short until about 1900. In fact in the 12 years 203,182 long Rifles to 9,188 Cadet Rifles. Between 1874 the first year of the Standard Model 1873 Models were constructed and 1886 when the Model of 1884 took over the ratio of Infantry Rifles manufactured was 20-1 TWENTY TO ONE. Not a great deal but this did reduce the weight and presumably allowed raw Cadets to get used to the substantial. The standard Infantry barrel length was about 31 1/2" whereas the barrel on a Cadet Rifle was just about 2 inches shorter coming in at about 29 1/2". The obvious difference is the overall length of the barrel, and thus the rifle.
The 1873 Cadet Model Trapdoor Rifle is identical to the Standard 1873 Infantry Rifle, from the butt plate up to the rear or lower barrel band.
#1873 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBER#
There is the trace of a serial number by the chamber, but only 799 is legible, so there are at least two numbers worn off. He was Master Armorer at Springfield Armory from 1853 until his death in 1879, and developed the original "Allin Conversion" for Springfield Rifled Muskets, which led directly to the 1873 Springfield Trapdoor. This rifle also has the script ESA cartouche on the stock by the lock screws, indicating inspection by the legendary Erskine S. This style of markings is only seen on the very early production Springfield rifles, as the Eagle was removed not long after production started. This is a nice example of the rare Springfield 1873 trapdoor Cadet 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 serial number of the piece indicates it was made in July to September 1884, a date reaffirmed by the inspector’s cartouche on the stock.Original Item: Only One available. Actually, there is no such thing as a “Model 1878.” What you are seeing is a heavy strike of “Model 1873” wherein the “3” looks like an “8.” Your rifle is really a Model 1873, unofficially termed “Model 1879” because of a number of noticeable differences from the earlier models. I have shot it and it will produce five-shot groups of 2 inches or less at 50 yards.Īnswer: I love Trapdoor Springfields! I’ve shot most of the single-shot rifles used by other countries from the same period and still think it’s the best of the batch for rapidity of fire and accuracy. I would appreciate any information that you could provide on this one.
It has a serial number of 255XXX and a stamped date on the stock of “1884”. This was one of three he had, with the best bore and condition. 45-70 from a dealer that I have known for more than 40 years. Question: I have recently purchased a Springfield Model 1878 Trapdoor in.