{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-springfield-m-1863-converted-to-m-1868-allin-trapdoor-rifle-in-1870-with-bayonet-tool-serial-5505","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Springfield M-1863 Converted to M-1868 Allin Trapdoor Rifle in 1870 with Bayonet \u0026 Tool - Serial 5505","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Now this is a real peach! This rifle started out as a Civil War Springfield Rifle Musket, dated \u003cstrong\u003e1863\u003c\/strong\u003e, made by \u003cb\u003eSPRINGFIELD ARMORY\u003c\/b\u003e, as indicated on the lock plate. There is also the \u003cstrong\u003e\"Spread Eagle\"\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e marking, indicating military production. This particular rifle looks to have been made during the change over from the Model 1863 Type I to Type II, as while it has the 1863 date, it has the solid bands held in place by strings. Definitely an interesting example! Around 700,000 of all Model 1863 types were produced from 1863 until the end of the Civil War in 1865.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo 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. \u0026amp; G.W. Miller. The Model 1868 had an overall length of 51 7⁄8 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver 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 \u003cstrong\u003e1870\u003c\/strong\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn very good condition, the lock is marked \u003cstrong\u003e1863\u003c\/strong\u003e with an \u003cstrong\u003eEAGLE\u003c\/strong\u003e next to \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. \/ SPRINGFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating production at the \u003cem\u003eUnited States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003c\/em\u003e, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Breech Block is marked \u003cstrong\u003e1870\u003c\/strong\u003e with an \u003cstrong\u003eEagle head \/ Crossed Arrows \/ U.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e cartouche underneath, and the receiver and barrel breech are marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e5505\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eon the left hand side. In very nice condition this is a rare U.S. Military Rifle that led to the the legendary Model of 1873.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is just a bit of light overall staining from oxidation, and the machining marks in the grooves are still visible. The cartridge extractor is present and functional, though we have not tested its ability to eject spent brass. The metalwork has a lovely faded blue finish on the receiver, lock, and rear sight, while the rest of the rifle has a lovely polished steel look. The rifle still has both sling swivels, and the correct original cleaning rod with a single shoulder. The rear sight is fully intact and functional, something that we do not see very often.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock is in very good condition, with nice grain and a lovely dark red brown color to the walnut. It has a lovely color and oiled finish, and shows the expected dents, dings, and small gouges from long service. There is some chipping and cracking along the edges of the ramrod channel, usually acquired when the rifle fore stock is rested on something when aimed and fired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included bayonet is in very good condition, and like the barrel of the rifle, has a lovely polished steel patina, with just a bit of overall oxidation. It fits the rifle well, and really adds to the piece. The multi-tool is the icing on the cake! It even has the original slot headed blade for removing the sight screw!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very good example of the M-1868 Converted rifle with a lovely bore, complete with the original bayonet and hard to find multi-tool! Fully cleaned and ready to display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Rifle):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1863 - Converted 1870\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .50-70 government\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 32 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 52 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Bayonet):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade Length: 18\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Triangular\u003cbr\u003eSocket Length: 3\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 21“\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40665200033861,"sku":"ONJR23SWC004","price":1695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR23SWC004__01.jpg?v=1697049209","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-springfield-m-1863-converted-to-m-1868-allin-trapdoor-rifle-in-1870-with-bayonet-tool-serial-5505","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}