“Custer Range” 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Custom Carbine-Style .45-70 Govt.

SOLD FOR: $1,050.00

LSB#: LSB260103JB004

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: 1873 Springfield Trapdoor 

Serial#: 40581 “Custer Range Serial Number”

Year of Manufacture: 1875 Antique

Caliber: .45-70

Action Type: Single-Shot, Allin Lock, Breech-Loaded Rifle

Markings: The block is marked with the 4 line markings, “Model 1873, US” with the eagle stamp. The receiver ring is marked with “36”. The serial number is marked at the rear of the loading port. The lockplate is marked with “US Springfield” with the crested eagle. The barrel band has a “U” marked on it. The buttplate is marked with “US”. 

Barrel Length: 22”

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a barley corn blade that has been soldered to the barrel. The rear sight is an 1879 first form, second variation rear sight. 

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is a later model carbine stock, one piece smooth walnut, straight comb, with steel buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/4″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has had some refinish work done. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There are cracks at the rear of the lockplate, upper left tang, and front and back of the trigger guard. The cartouches are faint and not legible. Overall this stock is in Poor to Fair condition due to cracking.   

Type of Finish: Blue 

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling defined. There is light erosion and some pitting, mostly in the grooves. There is fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates a 6/10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its original finish. There are scratches and corrosion staining throughout. Much of the finish has worn to brown patina. There is handling and operational wear. There is thinning bluing at the leading edges. There is an extensive amount of pitting on the hammer. The screws are tooled but serviceable. The markings are faint but mostly legible. Overall this rifle is in Fair to Good condition due to the cracked stock and pitted bore.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: The Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor rifle represents one of the most recognizable U.S. military firearms of the late 19th century. Developed under the direction of Erskine S. Allin at Springfield Armory, the design converted earlier muzzleloading rifle concepts into a practical breech loading system using a hinged “trapdoor” breechblock. Adopted by the U.S. Army in the years following the Civil War, the Model 1873 became the standard service arm for American soldiers during the Indian Wars period. Chambered for the .45-70 Government cartridge, introduced in 1873, the rifle delivered substantial power and range and remained in military service through the 1880s.

Serial number 40581 places this receiver within the so called “Custer Range,” a group of Springfield serial numbers that fall within the approximate production period of rifles issued to cavalry units during the mid 1870s. While this serial range is historically associated with the era of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, it is important to note that many rifles within this range saw service across multiple units and campaigns. This particular example shows clear signs of later modification and assembly from mixed components. The rifle has been configured in a carbine style with a barrel cut to 22 inch and later pattern carbine stock, while the presence of an 1879 pattern rear sight and other mismatched parts indicates that the firearm has been rebuilt or assembled from a combination of components over time.

Condition reflects a well used historic firearm with evident age and modification. The metal surfaces retain roughly 15 percent of their original blue finish with much of the remaining surface turned to a brown patina, accompanied by scattered corrosion staining and pitting, particularly on the hammer. The walnut stock shows evidence of refinish work and displays numerous scratches, compression marks, and several cracks around the lockplate, tang, and trigger guard areas. The bore remains bright with defined rifling but shows light erosion and pitting, rating approximately 6 out of 10. Despite the mixed parts configuration, the action functions correctly and the rifle remains an antique Springfield Trapdoor receiver from the Indian Wars era. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! MF