Original Item: One Only. This is something we don't see everyday! This rifle started out as a Civil War Springfield Rifle Musket, dated 1861, made by SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, as indicated on the lock plate. There is also the "Spread Eagle" over U.S. marking, indicating military production. This particular rifle started life as a Model 1861, featuring a single leaf rear sight and solid barrel bands held in place by band springs. Around 1,700,000 of all Springfield Rifled Musket types were produced from 1861 until the end of the Civil War in 1865.

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.

The 1866 Trapdoor was made using a Civil War percussion Rifle which was made into a breech loader using a .50 cal barrel. and each years the system was improved until the finish result was the Model of 1873 which was adopted and remained until the Krag Rifle was introduced in the 1890s.

There is an excellent work TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD by Waite and Ernst published in 1980 that covered this very subject from 1865 - 1893. The very first Chapter is entitled "The ALLIN Breech-Loading System" which covers the Model Trap door rifle we offer here. The conversion made inventive use of the existing parts of the barrel, such as the cap lock bolster being turned into part of the breech lock system.

In fine patinated condition, the lock is dated 1861 across the tail, with a clear EAGLE next to U.S. over SPRINGFIELD, indicating production at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Breech Block is DATED 1866 over an Eagle's head cartouche, and there is another Eagle's head on the breech of the barrel, which is from when it was still a rifled musket. There were several versions of the Model 1866 with regards to length, and this particular rifle is 51 3/4 inches long with a 32 1/2 inch barrel, and three barrel bands, which according to some sources is the correct length for an infantry rifle, while others state it it should be 56 inches long.

In very good condition this is a rare U.S. Military Rifle that led to the the legendary Model of 1873. The stock is in very good condition, with the expected wear from age and long service, and the original stock cartouches are completely worn away. It shows a lovely dark red brown walnut color, and there is no major damage or repairs that we can see, just some loss of wood from cleaning and wear.

The metalwork has a mostly bright polished look from decades of cleaning, with some signs of past oxidation. The barrel shows a mottled patina with a bit of past peppering visible. All three barrel bands are correctly U marked, and the butt plate tang is stamped US. Both sling swivels are present and move easily, and there is a very nice cleaning rod / ramrod under the barrel. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some fouling and past oxidation in the grooves, so it did see some level of service after conversion.

The complicated ejection system on the left side used on early conversions is actually still present on this example, and actually is still fully functional! It involves a spring loaded ejector mounted into the side of the receiver. This is one of the few times that we have had an example with this system still present. It also still features the tab on the breech block to aid with ejection. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

A very interesting piece of U.S. firearms history in great shape, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1861 - Converted c.1866
Caliber: .50-70 government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 51 3/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot

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.