Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original early production U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1873 Cadet Rifle in .45-70 Government caliber, serial number 11093, manufactured in approximately April 1874. It retains several desirable first year features, including the early stepped Model 1873 rear sight, high arch breechblock, spring loaded firing pin, and early two notch tumbler.

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 receiver is serial numbered:

11093

placing production in approximately April 1874 according to the serial number information supplied with the rifle. With Model 1873 production beginning in late 1873, this falls within the FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION and explains the presence of several very early features later altered or discontinued.

The breechblock is the early high arch type and is marked:

MODEL
1873
(EAGLE)
(CROSSED ARROWS)
U.S.

This more elaborate marking was later simplified, and the underside profile of subsequent breechblocks was also altered. The firing pin is the early spring loaded pattern and presently moves correctly, returning under spring tension.

The rifle retains the early first pattern Model 1873 stepped rear sight. The stepped base provides elevation settings through 400 yards, while the ladder extends to 1,100 yards. The sight remains complete and moves correctly with no noted mechanical deficiencies.

The lockplate is marked with the Federal eagle and:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD

and, although it does not carry the 1873 date, the lock retains the early two notch tumbler. This was later replaced in service by the three notch pattern on many Trapdoor rifles.

The walnut stock is the early long wrist configuration associated with early Model 1873 rifles and also used on Cadet Rifles. It has a well worn service appearance with numerous dents, scratches, erosion into the grain, and evidence of extensive handling and cleaning. The wood now sits mostly below the level of the lockplate, indicating substantial wear or reconditioning, and only the faint ghost of an original cartouche remains. No major cracks or structural repairs are noted.

The rifle has two barrel bands, two sling swivels plus a stacking swivel, and both bands are U marked. The U.S. marking on the buttplate tang has worn away. The installed ramrod appears to be a replacement and lacks the original nose cap catch arrangement; the corresponding catch has also been removed.

The breechblock presently opens and locks closed correctly, the firing pin moves and returns under spring tension, and the extractor and ejector are present and appear mechanically functional, though they have not been tested with cartridge cases. The bore is in very good present condition with a mostly bright surface and clear lands and grooves. There is some wear to the lands and evidence of older fouling and oxidation in the grooves that has since been cleaned.

Overall condition is good and strongly service worn, with the rifle retaining several important early production features despite long use. The most notable condition points are heavy stock wear, the largely lost cartouche, replacement ramrod, removed ramrod catch, worn buttplate marking, and cleaned traces of old bore fouling and oxidation.

With its April 1874 production date, serial number 11093, early high arch breechblock, elaborate Model 1873 block marking, spring loaded firing pin, first pattern stepped rear sight, two notch tumbler, and long wrist Cadet stock, this is a particularly interesting first year Springfield Trapdoor Cadet Rifle. It would display especially well in an early Springfield Trapdoor, Cadet Rifle, first year Model 1873, Indian Wars era, or advanced U.S. military arms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1874
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1873 Trapdoor "Cadet" Rifle
Serial No.: 11093
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 48 3/4 Inches
Action type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

More on the Trapdoor "Cadet" Rifles:
The Cadet Model 1873 & 1884 Trapdoor Rifles are identical to the Standard Infantry Rifles, from the butt plate up to the rear or lower barrel band. The obvious difference is the overall length of the barrel, and thus the rifle. The standard Infantry barrel length was about 31 1/2" whereas the barrel on a Cadet Rifle was just about 2 1/2 inches shorter coming in at around 29".

Not a great deal but this did reduce the weight and presumably allowed raw Cadets to get used to the substantial .45-70 Caliber. Between 1874 the first year of the Standard Model 1873 Models were constructed, and 1886 when the Model of 1884 took over the ratio of Infantry Rifles manufactured was 20-1 TWENTY TO ONE. In fact in the 12 years 203,182 long Rifles to 9,188 Cadet Rifles.

Later Model 1884 Rifles and Cadet Rifles were still being made or converted from long to short until about 1900. The fact remains that the MODEL 1873 and 1884 Cadet Rifle is twenty times harder to find than the standard 1873 Infantry Rifle.

This information all comes from a wonderful Book :- THE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD written by Albert Frasca and Robert Hill in 1980. 381 pages of invaluable information, published by Springfield Publishing of Northridge, California.

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 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.