The Springfield Trapdoors

SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET.
Cal. 58
Springfield Model 1861 Rifle.
Close-up of the 1861 lock.
Close-up of the 1861 lock screws.
Close-up of the buttstock.
Close-up of the rear sight.
Close-up of the barrel swivel band.
Close-up of the 1861 front sight and ramrod.
M1865 to M1868 US Springfield:
GENERALLY: After the American Civil war, over a million and a half percussion muzzle-loaders
were available and in service, but were also demonstrably obsolete. Yet, financial constraints imposed by
the great cost of the war required that if there was going to be a more modern arm introduced, it would
have to take into consideration this vast number of arms "available" for use in some appropriate, but
economical, fashion. The outcome was clearly not the best possible modern breachloader, but the best
compromise to be had, given money available and the desire to obtain more service out of the existing
stockpile of arms. This balancing resulted in the adoption of a breachloading mechanism to be fitted onto
the Springfield muzzle loading rifle M1863. Nominally "designed" by Springfield Armory Master Armorer
E.S. Allin, the pattern resulted in pattent infringement suits by both W. Mont Storm and Col. Hirum
Berdan, designer of the Spanish and Russian Berdan systems and a successful Civil War commander of
note. The first conversions made in 1865 utilized the original .58 cal barrel but quickly proved
unsatisfactory, both due to calibre and an exceedingly complex extractor mechanism. The next batch in
1866 were immediately successful. These incorporated a simplified extractor mechanism and a sleeved
barrel reducing the rifle's caliber to .50. These proved servicable enough that the M1868 was produced
utilizing completely new (shorter) barrels, with Allin actions built on M1863 percussion rifles.
PHOTO: The rifle shown is a US M1866 Springfield infantry Rifle converted from the M1863
Springfield muzzle loading rifle.
DISTINGUISHING CHARECTERISTICS: The M1866 is distinguished from the M1865 by
it's simplified extractor and sleeved .50 caliber barrel. It is distringushed from the M1868 by it's 40"
barrel. The M1868 is fitted with a new made, unsleeved 30 1/2" barrel. The M1865 are usually marked
"1865" on the lockplate tail, the M1866's were mostly converted from M1864 percussion muzzle loaders
and are marked "1864." The M1868's are marked "1863" or "1864" and are serial numbered on the left side
of the receiver.
U.S. SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 (AKA 1879)
RIFLE
Cal. 45-70 Government
U.S. Model 1873 Rifle with Model 1879 rear sight.
Close-up of the Model 1873 action.
Close-up of the Model 1873 receiver, note the post-October 1878 breechblock.
Top view of the Model 1873 action.
Close-up the reverse side of the lock.
Close-up the Model 1879 rear sight, which replaced the earlier type in 1879.
Top view Model 1879 rear sight.
Close-up the Model 1879 rear sight in the open position.
Close-up the Model 1873 buttstock.
Close-up the Model 1873 smooth trigger, starting
in 1883 it was replaced by one with a corrugated face.
Close-up of the Model 1873 markings.
Close-up of the Model 1873 front sight and the tulip-head ramrod introduced in 1882.
M1873 to M1888 US Springfield:
GENERALLY:
In 1872 trials were held to determine a "modern" new production arm to replace the
obsolescent .50 cal rifle then in use. Repeaters not having yet been shown to be effective,
it's not surprising that the military stayed with a basic action design considered "tried and
true."
In 1873 a "new" rifle was produced. Caliber was reduced to .45 and numerous small
changes made, but the overall design concept remained that adopted in eight years ealier.
During the next 15 years, this standard service arm underwent many minor revisions
culminating in the M1888. This model incorporated a unique bayonet which also served
as a cleaning rod and was carried full time and retracted under the barrel except in use.
This design innovation was driven by financial and production considerations as a new
smokeless repeater was in the works and, the supply of Civil War bayonets having finally
been exhausted, this provided an economical substitute.
PHOTO: The rifle shown is a M1888 Springfield
DISTINGUISHING CHARECTERISTICS: This rifle is fitted with a Buffington rear
sight and "ramrod" bayonet. The sight is graduated to 2,000 yards incorporating a long
range slide and an azmiuth knob which traverses the entire sight.
MISC NOTES: The Springfield was first fitted with it's "trapdoor" implement
compartment fitted into the buttstock in 1878, being applied to the last of the M1873
carbines. The M1879 Springfield rifle and all subsequent rifles carried the implement
compartment.
The famed "Ramrod Bayonet.
Allin (Berdan) action closed, weapon has been fired. (extractor is partially visible
as the dark blued piece that pivots with the breech block. Rifle's serial number is to
the left of the hammer on the back of the receiver.
Hammer at half-cock (safety); Breech block open ready for re-loading.
Inspector's cartouch showing manufacture date of 1892.
No major power's arms were retained in service during
this transition era as long as the US kept the "Trapdoor Springfield"
M-1888 US Springfield Ramrod Bayonet & Buffington Sight:
The "ramrod" bayonet of the M1888 in its retracted position.
underside of the M1888 showing retaining lever. To extend the bayonet the
lever is rocked around a central spring loaded pivot utilizing the two thumb-finger
ears.
The ramrod is extended to the first detent. This is not an operational position
but is shown simply to illustrate the detents that retain the rod when it is stowed.
The ramrod bayonet fully extended, locked into place at the lower pair of detents,
and ready for business.
The Buffington sight viewed from above. Buffington Sight long range leaf extended;
The upper knob is the slide extention knob, Windage is also adjusted. The lower knob is
the windage knob.