us springfield model 1873 serial numbers production year

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.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. 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.

Us springfield model 1873 serial numbers production year