{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-early-m1873-cadet-rifle-with-long-wrist-stock-made-in-1874-serial-33698","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Early M1873 Cadet Rifle with Long Wrist Stock made in 1874 - Serial 33698","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One available. This is a nice and VERY early example of the rare Springfield 1873 trapdoor Cadet rifle, the weapon used, in its carbine form, by the troopers of the 7th Cavalry that met their fate at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. The breech block is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMODEL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1873\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered in very good condition is this trapdoor cadet rifle in .45-70 government caliber, Serial #\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e 33698\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e overall good metal finish with all proofs still present. The serial number indicates production in 1874, and the stock is in good original condition, with a lovely color. Even more interesting is the stock, which is a very early pattern \"long wrist\" type, usually only seen on the very early Model 1873 Rifles, as well as on the Cadet models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1873 Cadet Model Trapdoor Rifle is identical to the Standard 1873 Infantry Rifle, 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 about 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\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock on this example has a lovely color, with the expected dents and dings from age and long service. The lock plate is fully proud over the stock, so it has definitely been cleaned and possibly refinished during its service life. There are no major cracks or chunks missing, though there is a sliver missing on the left side next to the nose cap on the woodline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metalwork is in good shape, with the original finish mostly faded to a gray lightly peppered patina. Both barrel bands are \u003cstrong\u003eU\u003c\/strong\u003e marked, however the \"US\" on the butt plate is missing, probably having worn away. There is a rack number of \u003cstrong\u003e64\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped on the butt plate tang, and another of \u003cstrong\u003e26\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped into the butt stock itself. The bore shows lands and grooves, but there is also a good amount of wear and fouling. This is a rifle that definitely saw significant use while in service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCenter fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels with stacking swivel, early pattern 1873 rear sliding sight, and standard ramrod. Lock is marked with an eagle and \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. \/ SPRINGFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield Massachusetts. The lock is fully functional, and the cartridge extractor is intact, though we have not tested it on spent brass. The breech block has the correct \"high arch\" for an early production example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA VERY faint stylized \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e in a circle under the wrist of the stock indicates that the rifle passed all of its overpressure proof testing. There are not any proof marks on the barrel anymore, either worn away, or possibly not stamped due to how early this example is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is great very early example of a rare Springfield cadet rifle, ready to add to your collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1874\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .45-70 Government\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 29 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 49 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39626240131141,"sku":"ON12554","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ON12554__01.jpg?v=1637361565","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-early-m1873-cadet-rifle-with-long-wrist-stock-made-in-1874-serial-33698","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}