1873 Springfield Trapdoor Cavalry Carbine .45-55 Govt. Single-Shot Rifle
SOLD FOR: $3,275.00
LSB#: LSB260502AH011
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: Springfield Trapdoor Cavalry Carbine
Serial#: 6980
Year of Manufacture: 1874
Caliber: 45-55 Govt. Carbine Cartridge
Action Type: Single-Shot Forward Pivoting Breech-Block “Trapdoor” Rifle
Markings: The top of the breech-block is marked “US Model 1873”. The rear end of the receiver’s serialization is clear. The lock-plate is marked with the Great Seal of the United States (an eagle) and “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD 1873”. The left side of the barrel, just ahead of the receiver, is marked “V / P” and has an eagle’s head. The top of the butt-plate is marked “US”. The cartouche is faint and not legible. The left side of the stock has a rack mark painted on. There are two stamped rack marks on the heel of the stock.
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed by the muzzle. The rear sight is 1873 type graduated to 500 yds.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one piece smooth walnut, single band forend, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth iron buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has had some sanding and refinishing done. There are scratches and tool marks throughout. There are compression dents, nicks, and gouges throughout. There is weathering, particularly around the wrist. There are some light repairs around the upper tang. There are no structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is defined. There is erosion and moderate pitting throughout the bore. The pitting is moderate to deep. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining throughout. There are some spots of pitting, mostly around the breech block. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Fair condition.
Mechanics: This rifle is in semi functional condition. The hammer holds full and half cock. The firing pin is seized. Due to bore condition we do not recommend firing this rifle. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Cavalry Carbine is a historically significant early Trapdoor carbine, manufactured in 1874 and chambered for the .45-55 Government carbine cartridge. Its low serial number, 22″ barrel, single-band stock, 1873-pattern breech block, U.S. Springfield lock markings, VP/eagle-head barrel proofs, and “US” buttplate marking all contribute to its strong U.S. martial character. The 1873 rear sight graduated to 500 yards and the carbine-length configuration make this a particularly interesting example of the early post-Civil War cavalry arm.
Condition is clearly antique and well-used. The metal retains approximately 25% of its original blued finish, with the balance worn to a brown patina showing corrosion staining and some pitting, especially around the breech block. The markings remain clear, which is a meaningful positive, and the screw heads, while tooled, are still serviceable. The bore is a major limitation, described as gray with defined rifling but erosion and moderate-to-deep pitting throughout, rating 5/10 in the writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the carbine is only semi-functional: the hammer holds at full and half cock, but the firing pin is seized, and firing is not recommended due to bore condition.
The stock is in Good condition, but it has seen notable age and alteration, including sanding and refinishing, a faint and illegible cartouche, scattered scratches, tool marks, compression dents, nicks, gouges, weathering around the wrist, and light repairs around the upper tang. The painted and stamped rack marks add visual military character, while the lack of structural cracks helps preserve its display value. Overall, this is a historically desirable early Springfield Trapdoor Cavalry Carbine best suited as a display, study, or collection piece rather than a shooter, with its main strengths being its early manufacture, carbine configuration, clear markings, and U.S. martial appeal, and its principal drawbacks being bore condition, semi-functional mechanics, finish loss, and refinished stock. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF