Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Model 1871 Ward-Burton .50-70 Government single shot bolt action rifle, one of the earliest bolt action arms adopted for U.S. military trials. Approximately 1,011 rifles of this pattern were manufactured at Springfield Armory, and surviving examples are notably scarce. This rifle retains its Federal eagle and U.S. SPRINGFIELD 1871 markings, Ward-Burton patent inscription, original three groove bore, correct cleaning rod, and distinctive threaded locking bolt system.

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 Ward-Burton was developed by Gen. W. G. Ward and Bethel Burton and represented an important early attempt to introduce a bolt operated metallic cartridge rifle into U.S. military service. The rifle was chambered for the .50-70 Government cartridge and employed a single shot action in which opposing interrupted thread surfaces on the bolt locked into corresponding surfaces inside the receiver. The short bolt handle rotated downward to lock the action and upward to release it.

When the bolt was drawn to the rear, the fired cartridge case was intended to be extracted and ejected, after which a fresh cartridge could be inserted manually. The rifle cocked as the bolt was pushed forward. A small spring loaded bolt lock at the right rear of the receiver served as a safety by preventing the bolt handle from rotating into its fully locked firing position.

Ward-Burton rifles underwent troop trials beginning in 1871. Approximately 1,011 rifles and 316 carbines were produced at Springfield Armory. The design was not adopted for general issue, and the U.S. Army continued with the Allin Trapdoor system for its standard service rifles. Even so, the Ward-Burton remains an important transitional arm in the development of U.S. military bolt action rifles.

These rifles were not serial numbered in the conventional sense, although assembly numbers may be encountered on internal components.

The left side of the receiver retains a crisp Federal eagle beside the Springfield Armory marking:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD 1871.

The top of the breech area is marked with the original Ward-Burton patent information:

WARD. BURTON. PATENT.
DEC. 20. 1859. FEB. 21. 1871.

Overall condition is good considering the rifle’s age and limited production. The iron and steel surfaces have developed an overall oxidized patina with areas of old peppering, particularly around the muzzle and breech.

The bolt currently opens and closes through its normal range of movement. The safety at the rear right of the receiver engages the bolt handle and prevents it from rotating fully into the closed firing position. The firing pin mechanism will also release in its present condition. Importantly, the bolt has a repaired crack. Because of this repair, the rifle is considered suitable only as a historical collector and display arm. The extractor and ejector have not been function tested with a cartridge case.

The rear top of the barrel is fitted with a Springfield Trapdoor Model 1868 style rear sight, which is correct. The bore retains the original three wide groove rifling used by Springfield on these rifles. The grooves remain clearly visible, with portions of the bore still quite bright. Other areas show old fouling and oxidation from prolonged exposure to moisture and powder residue.

The stock shows expected service and handling wear, including dents, dings, small gouges, and localized wood loss. No major cracks or stock repairs were observed. This example is fitted with two barrel bands rather than the three band arrangement sometimes encountered on Ward-Burton rifles. There is no middle barrel band and no visible evidence that one was previously installed, so there is consequently no upper sling swivel. The forward barrel band is not rounded and appears to be of an earlier Springfield pattern.

The cleaning rod remains present and is of the same general pattern used with the Springfield Model 1868. It is presently very difficult to remove, so the condition of its concealed end has not been determined.

With its 1871 Springfield Armory markings, Ward-Burton patent inscription, scarce .50-70 single shot bolt action design, original three groove bore, surviving safety mechanism, correct style cleaning rod, and relatively complete configuration, this is a particularly significant early U.S. military breechloader. The repaired bolt, oxidized metal surfaces, areas of peppering, bore fouling and oxidation, two band configuration, absent upper sling swivel, and difficult to remove cleaning rod are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a U.S. Springfield Armory, early bolt action rifle, .50-70 Government, Indian Wars era, or advanced American military firearms collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1871-1872
Caliber: .50-70 Government
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1871 Ward Burton Patent Rifle
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 51 3/4 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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 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.