Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Arsenal Model 1868 .50-70 Trapdoor rifle converted under the Allin system from a Civil War era Model 1863 rifle musket, accompanied by a U.S. marked triangular socket bayonet. The original lock is dated 1863, the trapdoor breech block is dated 1869, and the receiver and barrel breech are serial numbered 14379. The rifle remains in very good condition with a particularly strong three groove bore, functional trapdoor action, complete sights, cleaning rod, and both sling swivels.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Model 1868 was one of the important intermediate Springfield Trapdoor designs developed before adoption of the Model 1873. Earlier Allin conversions had adapted existing muzzleloading arms to metallic cartridge use, while the Model 1868 employed a newly manufactured .50 caliber barrel attached to a separate Allin type receiver rather than relying on a relined original .58 caliber barrel. The resulting rifle was chambered for the .50-70 Government cartridge and used a two band configuration with the forward sling swivel mounted to the upper barrel band.

This particular rifle began as a Springfield Model 1863 rifle musket. The lock plate tail is dated:

1863

and beneath the hammer is the spread eagle above:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD

indicating original production at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts. The surviving screw retained barrel band configuration with band springs is consistent with the later Model 1863 pattern from which many conversion components originated.

During conversion to the Model 1868 configuration, the arm received the separate receiver and shorter .50 caliber barrel associated with this Trapdoor pattern. The breech block is dated:

1869

and bears the Eagle Head over crossed arrows and U.S. marking. The left side of the receiver and barrel breech are both marked with serial number:

14379

The stock was inspected for surviving cartouches, but its surface has been worn and apparently sanded enough that no inspection marks are presently legible.

The trapdoor breech opens and locks closed correctly. The firing pin is present and mobile, with its spring still present. The cartridge extractor and ejector are also present and operate mechanically, although their performance with fired cartridge cases has not been tested.

The bore is in very good condition. The three groove rifling remains bright and well defined with relatively little visible wear, and original machining marks can still be seen within the grooves. There are some isolated areas of oxidation toward the top of the bore, appearing more consistent with past moisture exposure than heavy powder fouling.

The exterior metalwork has developed a mottled patina across the barrel, barrel bands, and related hardware, with scattered light peppering. The breech block, receiver, rear sight, and lock presently show a blued finish. It is uncertain whether all of this bluing dates from the period of conversion or represents later refinishing, so no definitive attribution is made. The finish shows wear and areas of light oxidation.

The rear leaf sight remains complete and functional. Both sling swivels are present, as is the cleaning rod, although the rod does not have a threaded end. The barrel bands are marked U, while the buttplate is marked:

U.S.

The walnut stock has developed an attractive red brown color from age and oiling. It shows the usual dents, dings, handling marks, and general wear expected from military service. The stock appears to have been sanded at some point, softening some of the original bevels and contributing to the loss of inspection cartouches. There is additional wear around the upper edge of the buttplate, but no major cracks or structural repairs are noted.

Included with the rifle is a U.S. marked triangular socket bayonet of the type associated with Springfield Trapdoor rifles. It remains in very good used condition and retains much of its original bright metal appearance, with scattered old peppering and light staining. The bayonet slides readily over the rifle muzzle and secures with its locking ring, which moves freely.

With its 1863 dated Springfield lock, 1869 dated Trapdoor breech block, matching receiver and barrel serial number 14379, strong three groove bore, complete rear sight, cleaning rod, sling swivels, and accompanying U.S. socket bayonet, this is a solid example of the Model 1868 stage in Springfield Arsenal’s transition from Civil War muzzleloaders to standardized metallic cartridge service rifles. The sanded stock, lost cartouches, uncertain history of the present blued finish, scattered oxidation, and unthreaded cleaning rod are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a U.S. Civil War conversion, Springfield Trapdoor, .50-70 Government, or early U.S. cartridge military arms collection.

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1863 - Converted 1870
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1868 Trapdoor Rifle
Caliber: .50-70 government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 52 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

Specifications (Bayonet):-

Blade Length: 18"
Blade Style: Triangular
Socket Length: 3"
Overall length: 21“

The Springfield Allin Conversion Rifles:
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 1868-1870, chambered for the .50-70 450 cartridge. This model is unique in the 'trapdoor' series by being marked with the actual year of manufacture (1868, 1869, or 1870) on the breech-block. This model served as the stepping stone towards 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.

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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. 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.