{"product_id":"original-u-s-early-springfield-trapdoor-model-1873-cadet-rifle-made-in-april-1874-with-stepped-rear-sight-and-2-notch-tumbler-serial-no-11093","title":"Original U.S. Early Springfield Trapdoor Model 1873 Cadet Rifle Made in April 1874 with Stepped Rear Sight and 2-Notch Tumbler, Serial No. 11093","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cstrong\u003e11093\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured in approximately \u003cstrong\u003eApril 1874\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe receiver is serial numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e11093\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eplacing 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 \u003cstrong\u003eFIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION\u003c\/strong\u003e and explains the presence of several very early features later altered or discontinued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe breechblock is the early high arch type and is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMODEL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1873\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(EAGLE)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(CROSSED ARROWS)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lockplate is marked with the Federal eagle and:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPRINGFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1874\u003cbr\u003eMaker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1873 Trapdoor \"Cadet\" Rifle\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: 11093\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .45-70 Government\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 29 1\/2 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 48 3\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore on the Trapdoor \"Cadet\" Rifles:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Cadet Model 1873 \u0026amp; 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\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis information all comes from a wonderful Book :- \u003cem\u003eTHE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD\u003c\/em\u003e written by Albert Frasca and Robert Hill in 1980. 381 pages of invaluable information, published by Springfield Publishing of Northridge, California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45598892949573,"sku":"ONJR26JYRA06","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26JYRA06.jpg?v=1787604841","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-early-springfield-trapdoor-model-1873-cadet-rifle-made-in-april-1874-with-stepped-rear-sight-and-2-notch-tumbler-serial-no-11093","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}