Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Model 1873 .45-70 Cadet Rifle, serial number 491492, in an interesting late production configuration incorporating a Model 1873 marked breech block, Model 1879 ramp style rear sight, early two piece trigger guard, serrated trigger, correct Cadet length long wrist stock, and standard ramrod. The serial number places manufacture around April 1890, making the survival of this earlier Model 1873 configuration particularly noteworthy and suggestive of arsenal assembly, reconditioning, or use of earlier pattern components.

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 breech block is marked:

U.S.
MODEL
1873

The rifle is chambered in .45-70 Government and has two barrel bands, two sling swivels, a Model 1879 rear sight, and a standard ramrod. The lock is marked with the Federal eagle and:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD

and was manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The buttplate is marked U.S., and both barrel bands carry U markings, which indicate the side that should be "up" when installed.

Serial number 491492 indicates production in approximately April 1890. By that period Springfield production had moved beyond the original Model 1873 configuration, making this example an unusual combination of earlier and later features. It retains a Model 1873 marked breech block and early pattern two piece trigger guard, while the trigger itself is the serrated type introduced with the later Model 1884 pattern.

The stock is the long wrist pattern associated with early Model 1873 rifles and also used on Cadet rifles during their production. It is in good condition with an attractive aged color and shows the expected dents, scratches, and handling marks from long service. The wood sits noticeably below the level of the lock plate, suggesting that the stock was cleaned or refinished during a past reconditioning. Any original inspection cartouches have consequently been lost. The right side of the butt is stamped:

R. S. COX

The metal remains in very good condition overall. Strong blue survives in protected areas, while other surfaces have worn toward a plum brown tone. No significant areas of old peppering or heavy oxidation are apparent. The breech block, receiver, and several other surfaces appear to have been reblued at some point in the distant past, consistent with the rifle having undergone refurbishment or reconditioning.

Additional inspection and proof markings remain around the breech. A capital I is visible on top of the barrel, while the left side above the stock carries a somewhat faint sequence of:

V
P
Eagle Head
P

The Model 1879 ramp style rear sight is fully functional. The upper right corner of the sliding leaf and the left side of the ramp are both marked R, identifying the graduations as intended for a rifle rather than a carbine.

The rifle retains a correct standard ramrod with the complete ribbed cleaning jag section at the end. This detail confirms that it is not simply a shortened full length rifle cleaning rod adapted to fit the Cadet configuration.

The bore is in very good condition with a mostly bright interior and clearly defined lands and grooves. There is some wear to the lands from service, but little evidence of significant old fouling or oxidation damage.

The breech block opens and closes correctly, and the firing pin remains intact and freely moving. The breech latch, extractor, and ejector are also present and operate during manual inspection. The action has not been tested with live or dummy cartridge brass. These observations describe only the rifle’s present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

With its Model 1873 marked breech block, late serial number 491492, long wrist Cadet stock, Model 1879 rifle rear sight, early two piece trigger guard, serrated trigger, standard ramrod, strong bore, and surviving Springfield Arsenal markings, this is a particularly interesting example of a late assembled or reconditioned Springfield Cadet Rifle. The probable old rebluing, stock refinishing, lost cartouches, service wear, and mixed early and later pattern components are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Springfield Trapdoor, Cadet Rifle, Indian Wars era arms, U.S. military rifle, or advanced .45-70 collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1890
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1873 Trapdoor Cadet Rifle
Serial No.: 491492
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29 5/8 Inches
Overall Length: 49 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.