Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is a real peach! This rifle started out as a Civil War Springfield Rifle Musket, dated 1863, made by SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, as indicated on the lock plate. There is also the "Spread Eagle" and U.S. marking, indicating military production. This particular rifle looks to have been made as a Model 1863 Type II, as it has solid bands held in place by springs. Around 700,000 of all Model 1863 types were produced from 1863 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.

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.

In very good condition, the lock on this example is faintly dated 1863 on the lock plate tail, with an EAGLE under the hammer next to U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, indicating production at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Breech Block is marked 1869 with a faint Eagle head / Crossed Arrows / U.S. cartouche underneath, and the receiver is marked with serial number 3236 on the left hand side. We checked the side of the stock for the original cartouches, but there are non present, as the entire stock was re-shaped in that area.

In very nice condition this is a rare U.S. Military Rifle that led to the legendary Model of 1873, and this is a VERY interesting example unlike any we have seen before. At first we actually thought it was a Model 1873 trapdoor due to the shape of the stock, and M1879 pattern rear sight, but looking at the receiver and lock plate, it is undoubtedly a Model 1868, however it is one that was rebarreled to .45-70 government. We are not sure why this was done, or where, but it is definitely something that would have had to be done at arsenal. The barrel measures .73" at the muzzle with a .45" bore, and we checked with a dummy cartridge to confirm. The barrel itself does not look to be an adapted Model 1873 barrel however, as there is a sight dovetail, and it fits the stock well, so we do not know if it was custom made, or adapted from something else. As the receive of a Model 1868 is much longer, there is no way a standard barrel would fit.

The bore is in very good condition, showing a partly bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is some overall oxidation and past fouling, now cleaned away, so it definitely does look to have seen use while in service. The breech block opens and locks closed correctly, and the firing pin is present and mobile. The cartridge extractor and ejector on the floor of the breech are present and functional, though we have not tested their ability to eject spent brass.

The metalwork of the rifle displays a lovely aged patina from years of light oxidation and subsequent cleaning. The rifle still has both sling swivels, and the cleaning rod is also still intact. The rear leaf sight is fully intact and functional, something that we do not see very often. The barrel bands are all U marked and the buttplate is U.S. marked. The stock is in very good condition, with nice grain and a lovely 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 a crack running from the lower lock screw to the breech area, a very common place to see these.

The included bayonet is the classic 1873 style triangular socket bayonet marked U.S., which is in very good used condition, still showing a good amount of the original bluing on the blade along with some wear and dried grease. The socket shows a mottled peppery patina, which is also present on the scabbard, which has lost the integral leather frog.

A VERY interesting .45-70 converted example of the M-1868 Converted rifle, fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1863 - Converted 1869 and again later
Caliber: .45-70 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

Specifications (Bayonet):-

Blade Length: 18"
Blade Style: Triangular
Socket Length: 3"
Overall length: 21“
Scabbard Length: 18 1/2"

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. 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.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom.

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 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.