Springfield Armory 1881 Forager .20 Gauge 26” Trapdoor Shotgun Rare Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,000.00
LSB#: WY240905SP056
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1881 Forager Trapdoor Shotgun
Serial Number: 295
Year of Manufacture: 1882 Antique https://www.openirons.com/2022/11/30/springfield-armory-made-a-trapdoor-shotgun/
Caliber: .20 Gauge
Action Type: Single Shot Trapdoor
Markings: The top of the breechblock is marked “1881”; Behind the door is marked “295”. The right lock plate is marked with the Springfield Eagle & “U.S. /SPRINGFIELD”.The top of the buttplate in front of the mounting screw is marked “U S/2”. The right sides of the barrel bands are marked “U”. Behind the lower rear tang, you can see a circle acceptance proof.
Barrel Length: 26”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bead set on the barrel. The rear sight is a Buffington ladder sight that was used on the M1884 rifles. There is a “U” notch sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece walnut with a smooth straight grip. The buttstock has a steel carbine-style buttplate. The forend is 1/4 length of the barrel, with no nose cap. There are scattered compressions and dings through the finish. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The US-marked plate exhibits typical wear for an antique rifle, finish loss, and patina. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition as an Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright, with minimal deterioration. There is no notable erosion in the bore. No major deep pitting. This bore rates in 8/10 for a bore rating in this writer’s opinion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. The lock-plate and breechblock have some erosion and turned to patina and some blue has remained behind. There are some scattered oxidation, scratches, and dings on the barrel. The hammer has a patina finish but shows light erosion and oxidation. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are semi-clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition as an Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has quarter and half-cock safety positions. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: none.
Our Assessment: Here’s an obscure gun. Between 1881 and 1885, 1376 20-gauge shotguns were produced by Springfield Armory. These are known colloquially as the “Foragers”, but properly they are known as the Model 1881. They were assembled from discarded spare parts – old musket stocks cut back to just less than a typical carbine stock, surplus locks were pulled from the parts bin (primarily ’73s), and old musket barrels reamed out to a smoothbore 20ga diameter. A new receiver was made, though anyone familiar with trapdoor rifles will have a hard time distinguishing its outward profile from any other trapdoor receiver and breechblock made after 1873. One of the biggest tells of this rifle in profile is that it’s the only trapdoor you’re going to see without any barrel bands. That and there are no sling swivels.
So, make a note: a trapdoor with no barrel bands and no sling swivels means you should do a double take. It’s an extraordinarily interesting gun and we’ll get into that now. The U.S. breech-loading Springfield “trapdoor” Shotgun was introduced in 1871 in 20 Gauge. It was the U.S. Army used to feed themselves, and Springfield trapdoor carbines were used by Custer’s Cavalry at the massacre at The Little BigHorn.
In 1881 the Forager was introduced, which was mainly for small game and even deer. This gun was not to be issued only designed for gathering food. “Caution to collectors: This is one of the most frequently misunderstood, misidentified, misrepresented, or just outright faked, of the ‘rarer’ Allin trapdoors.”
We wish this shotgun could talk. It will make a great piece for any Historical Military Collector with the potential for more research and future discussions. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition of the revolver in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.
Luke 22:36: “But now, whoever has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and whoever has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one”.
