Item Description
Original Item: Only One Pair Available. The model 1873 "Trapdoor" Springfield was the first standard-issue breech-loading rifle adopted by the United States Army. The gun, in both full-length and carbine versions, was widely used in subsequent battles against the American Indians. It was 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 model 1873 was the fifth variation of the Allin trapdoor design, which was originally developed by Erskine S. Allin to convert Springfield model 1861 and 1863 rifled muskets into breech-loading cartridge firearms. The rifle was named for its hinged breechblock, which opened like a trapdoor. The infantry rifle model featured a 325⁄8-inch (829 mm) barrel, while the cavalry carbine used a 22-inch (560 mm) barrel. Both were chambered for the new .45-70 "Government" cartridge.
As the barrel was slightly less wide than the rifled muskets it replaced, the design of the current bayonet required alteration of the socket. Aside from this, the bayonet design was identical to the Rifled Musket version. It consists of a standard socket, which locks over the barrel and front sight, and has an attached 18 inch long triangular hollow-ground blade.
These bayonets met their end as a result of dealers having overflowing stocks of a single item. In order to sell them, they had to get creative. This is a classic example of a dealer having way too many items in stock and trying to figure out a way to make them go away. Such was Francis Bannerman's & Co's. dilemma back in the day. Their solution was to take sound US M1873 socket bayonets, and make sconces and candelabras out of them.
A sconce is a candle holder that is attached to a wall with an ornamental bracket. This one was mounted on a black colored piece of wood with a central knob that holds the now curved bayonet in place. The bayonet itself is still in wonderful condition with the U.S. marking still visible on the ricasso.
Comes more than ready for display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
