Civil War 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Carbine .45-70 Govt. Single-Shot Rifle
SOLD FOR: $2,525.00
LSB#: WY250124JH002
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: Springfield Trapdoor Carbine
Serial#: 137472
Year of Manufacture: 1880
Caliber/ Cartridge: .45-70 Govt
Action Type: Single-Shot Front-Lifted Breech-Loaded Rifle
Markings: This rifle has “U.S. MODEL 1873 / 137472” on the door. The buttplate is marked “16/ U.S./ 37” and the barrel is marked, “V / P / P / R” with a proof mark. The barrel band is marked “U”. The rear sight is stamped “C”. The lock plate is marked with the Great Seal of the United States (an eagle) and “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD”.
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed by the muzzle. The rear sight is an adjustable buckhorn.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The wood stock features a barrel band secured by a spring, a lock-plate, a straight wrist, a straight comb and semi-crescent butt-plate with a 1888 style cleaning kit door. The 3-piece rod is inside. There are handling marks. There are some chips and cracks. The LOP is 13.25” from the trigger to the rear end of the butt-plate. Overall, the stock is in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray. The rifling is pronounced. There is moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. Overall, in this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6.5/10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Most of the rifle has gone to patina with some rust and pitting. The lock retains some of its finish, with some pitting as well. The screwheads are marred but serviceable. The leaf spring that holds the rear sight down is missing. The rifle has a brass, or perhaps bronze/aluminum alloy firing pin, and the face of the trigger is grooved. Overall, the rifle is in Good condition, given its age, and that it is an antique.
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: This rifle comes with a copy of the book “The Trap-Door Springfield in The Service” by Col. Phillip M. Shockley, 1958, along with a Civil War Carbine Boot Scabbard and sling swivel, and two “US MOD 1879” Springfield Trapdoor Combination tools.
This Civil War-era boot scabbard for an 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Carbine stands as a testament to both its craftsmanship and the care it has received over the past century. The leather, though showing the natural effects of age, has been well-preserved, maintaining its firmness without any significant cracks or tears. Subtle surface cracking is present. The brass shoulder exhibits a graceful tarnish, a hallmark of its age and authenticity, while the sling swivels, though bearing some corrosion and surface erosion, remain structurally sound. These elements, combined with its overall condition, reflect a piece that has been carefully stored and appreciated for generations. This scabbard embodies the spirit of an era long past, making it a remarkable and historically significant artifact for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Our Assessment: The Springfield 1873 Trapdoor rifle, also known as the “Trapdoor Springfield,” was a single-shot, breech-loading rifle adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873. It was designed to replace the muzzle-loading rifled muskets used during the Civil War, and its distinctive “trapdoor” mechanism allowed soldiers to load ammunition from the rear of the barrel. This rifle was chambered for the .45-70 Government cartridge, which became the standard U.S. military round. The Springfield 1873 played a significant role in the Indian Wars and later in the Spanish-American War. Its robust design and reliability made it a mainstay in U.S. military service until it was replaced by more modern bolt-action rifles in the late 1890s.
Please see the condition for yourself in our detailed high quality photos.
-It’s not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to shoot in the rain. – M.H.
