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1873 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Serial Numbers

There were 60,912 carbines made from 1873 to 1893. Those with serial numbers below 43,700 are known as “Custer Guns,” as there is a possibility they saw action at the Little Big Horn, but.

1. The Springfield Trapdoor Cartridge Rifle and Carbine was produced for the military in 1873. It was a redesign of the Army’s Allin Trapdoor rifle. The Springfield Trapdoor held the new, more powerful.45-70 military cartridge. Full-stocked, 32 inch barreled rifles, as well as half-stocked, short-barreled carbines, were produced.
2. Model 1869 'trapdoor' cadet & sporting rifles. 1871 3091 (1 sporting rifle) 1872 (3 sporting rifles) 1873 (2 sporting rifles) 1876 20. Model 1870 'trapdoor' rifles. 1870 550 rifles. 1871 2372 rifles. 20 undetermined. 1872 8110 rifles. 1 sporting rifle. 1873 501 rifles (including 100 metcalfe alterations) 1 sporting rifle. 1 carbine. production figures: serial number to end quarter.
3. Trapdoor rifle reloading info Trapdoor Tech Info The famed 'Ramrod Bayonet. For additional photos see: M1888 US Springfield Ramrod Bayonet & Buffington Sight: Allin (Berdan) action closed, weapon has been fired. (extractor is partially visible as the dark blued piece that pivots with the breech block. Rifle's serial number is to.
4. All model 1873's manufactured after serial number 525923 are considered modern and are subject to all the BATF Federal guide lines including back ground checks. There were over 720,000 Model 1873 Winchester 's manufactured. The longest barrel length known on a Model 1873 is 37 inches.

The Springfield model 1884 was one of the 'Trapdoor Springfield' rifles. It was an improved replacement for the previous longarm of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Springfield model 1873.

Description[edit]

The model 1884 traces its roots back to the design of the Springfield 1873. The model 1884 incorporated a significant number of improvements that had been made between 1878 and 1879. It also featured a serrated trigger that had been incorporated into the Springfield rifle design in 1883.

The most dramatic change to the rifle design, which is often considered to be the identifying feature of the model 1884, was a new rear sight which had been designed by Lieutenant Colonel Adelbert R. Buffington of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. This sight however was not perfected until 1885.

The principal feature of this new sight was a rack and pinion style windage adjustment. Unlike previous sights, the base was not used for any position other than point blank. The raised leaf had graduations from 200 to 1400 yards. A new barrel band was also designed to accommodate this new sight so that it could lie flat in the point blank position.^[1]

Marksmen generally favored the new sight, but general troops were less enthusiastic about it and often considered it to be an annoyance.

The model 1884 was also produced in a carbine version. It was found that the rear sight could be easily damaged when removing the rifle from the carbine boot. The rear barrel band was therefore modified in 1890 to include a rear sight protector.

A round-rod bayonet model was also produced, designated the Model 1888. This, like the Springfield model 1880, was an attempt to combine the cleaning rod and bayonet into a single unit. The Model 1888 included an improved retaining mechanism, as the Model 1880's retaining mechanism had proved to be problematic.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^'Uniforms, arms, and equipment: the U.S. Army on the Western Frontier, 1880-1892' By Douglas C. McChristian

(This set of photos courtesy of M. Kerrigan)

GENERALLY: For the history and development of the basic design of this rifle, please see the commentary on the M1865-1868 US Springfield.(.50-70 Govt.)
In 1872 trials were held to determine a 'modern' new production arm to replace the obsolescent .50 cal rifle then in use. Repeaters not having yet been shown to be effective, it's not surprising that the military stayed with a basic action design considered 'tried and true.'
In 1873 a 'new' rifle was produced. Caliber was reduced to .45 and numerous small changes made, but the overall design concept remained that adopted in eight years ealier. During the next 15 years, this standard service arm underwent many minor revisions culminating in the M1888. This model incorporated a unique bayonet which also served as a cleaning rod and was carried full time and retracted under the barrel except in use. This design innovation was driven by financial and production considerations as a new smokeless repeater was in the works and, the supply of Civil War bayonets having finally been exhausted, this provided an economical substitute.

PHOTO: The rifle shown is a M1888 Springfield

DISTINGUISHING CHARECTERISTICS: This rifle is fitted with a Buffington rear sight and 'ramrod' bayonet. The sight is graduated to 2,000 yards incorporating a long range slide and an azmiuth knob which traverses the entire sight.

MISC NOTES: The Springfield was first fitted with it's implement compartment fitted into the buttstock in 1878, being applied to the last of the M1873 carbines. The M1879 Springfield rifle and all subsequent rifles carried the implement compartment.

RELATED WEBSITES:
http://www.trapdoorcollector.com
Trapdoor rifle reloading info
Trapdoor Tech Info

1873 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Serial Numbers

The famed 'Ramrod Bayonet. For additional photos see:
M1888 US Springfield Ramrod Bayonet & Buffington Sight:

Allin (Berdan) action closed, weapon has been fired. (extractor is partially visible
as the dark blued piece that pivots with the breech block. Rifle's serial number is to
the left of the hammer on the back of the receiver.

Hammer at half-cock (safety); Breech block open ready for re-loading.

1873 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Serial Numbers Lookup Chart In United States

Inspector's cartouch showing manufacture date of 1892.
No major power's arms were retained in service during
this transition era as long as the US kept the 'Trapdoor Springfield'

M1888 US Springfield Ramrod Bayonet & Buffington Sight:

1873 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Value

Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle

Page first built February 1, 1999
Revised September 26, 1999