Item Description
Original Item: Only One available. This is a nice 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:
U.S.
MODEL
1873
Offered in very good condition is this trapdoor rifle in 45-70 government caliber. Serial #96508 indicates manufacture in 1878, and the right side of the stock is marked with a government inspector E.S.A. cartouche by the rear lock screw. This indicates inspection by the legendary Erskine S. Allin. He was Master Armorer at Springfield Armory from 1853 until his death in 1879, so he oversaw all production during the Civil War. At the end of the war, he developed the original "Allin Conversion" for Springfield Rifled Muskets, which led directly to the 1873 Springfield Trapdoor.
This example is also stamped with a government inspector SWP / 1890 cartouche, which would indicate that the rifle was returned to arsenal for a refit. It was most likely during this time that the standard rear sight was replaced with an adjustable Buffington Sight. It was also fitted with the model 1884 serrated trigger, which is why we term this a model 1873/84.
The 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 inches shorter coming in at about 29 1/2".
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 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.
Condition notes:
The stock on this example has been sanded down a bit, so it is only partly proud over the lock plate, however the markings are still present. There are some dents in the wood, as expected on a rifle this age, but the stock does not appear to have had any major repairs or damage, and still has a lovely color.
The original metal finish has faded a bit to a lovely gray blue color, with all proofs still present, and a bit of light pitting in places. The butt plate is marked U.S., and both barrel bands are U marked. The butt plate does have a bit of light peppering. The bore is in excellent condition, with crisp lands and grooves, and a bright finish throughout. Does not seem to have been fired much, if at all.
Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, with only a stacking swivel, Buffington sight, and standard ramrod. Lock is marked with an eagle and U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield Massachusetts.
The elegant script SWP belongs to Samuel W. Porter, who was the Master Armorer and Chief Inspector of Springfield Armory from 15 September 1879 to 18 June 1894. A stylized P in a circle under the wrist of the stock indicates that the rifle passed all of its overpressure proof testing. There is a second P from reinspection in 1890. Additional marks of interest include inspectors' and proof marks around the breech end of the barrel: a capital P on the side; and a V over a P over an eagle's head over another P on the left side just above the stock. The upper right corner of the Buffington sight leaf is marked R to indicate that the sight graduations are for a rifle and not a carbine.
This is a great example of a rare Springfield cadet rifle, ready to add to your collection.
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1878 - updated 1890
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29.5 Inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot
Note: 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.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no 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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.
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