US Springfield 1873 Trapdoor Carbine .45-70 Single Shot Rifle 1886 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,235.00
LSB#: LSB251001TL001
Make: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine, Saddle ring
Serial Number: 340310
Year of Manufacture: October-December 1886 / Antique https://www.nps.gov/spar/learn/historyculture/u-s-springfield-trapdoor-production-serial-numbers.htm
Caliber: .45-70 (Black powder)
Action Type: Trapdoor, single shot
Markings: The rear of the breech is marked “340310”. The top of the action is marked “U.S/ Model / 1873”. The lock plate is marked with a federal eagle and “U.S. Springfield”. There are correct “V/P/Eagle Head/P proof marks stamped on the barrel near the chamber. There is a “SWP 1886” inspector cartouche on the left wrist of the stock. There is a “P” proof mark on the stock behind the trigger guard. The heel of the buttplate is marked “US.”
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned into a barrel-mounted base. The rear sight is a Carbine-marked Buffington style rear sight. The rear sight is bent slightly.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a single piece walnut with a barrel band, saddle ring and bar, straight wrist, straight comb, and steel buttplate with trapdoor. There are significant chips out of both sides of the forearm past the barrel band. There is a chip out of the left side of the buttstock and smaller chips at the buttplate. There are multiple scratches, dings and compression marks throughout. The LOP is 13 1/4” from the trigger to the rear end of the butt-plate. Overall, the stock is in about Good condition as an antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark but the rifling is sharp. There is relatively minor pitting throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6/10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors’ firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish, with most turning to a brown patina. This Carbine is furnished with a true carbine stock and a carbine Buffington rear sight and falls in the serial number range for the carbines produced in 1886. The screw heads show moderate use. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as an antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle has a half-cock safety. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine remains one of the defining American military arms of the late 19th century, widely issued to cavalry units during and after the Indian Wars period. By 1886, when this example was produced, the Trapdoor system represented the final evolution of the Army’s black-powder, single-shot service rifles before the adoption of the Krag–Jørgensen in the 1890s. Chambered in .45-70 Government, the standard U.S. military cartridge since 1873, these carbines delivered dependable stopping power, manageable recoil from horseback, and a proven track record across the Western frontier. The presence of a crisp SWP 1886 inspector cartouche further places this example squarely within the official production runs of true cavalry carbines.
This 1886 carbine retains its correct carbine configuration, including the 22-inch barrel, saddle ring and bar, and carbine-marked Buffington rear sight—a more advanced sighting system introduced in the mid-1880s, offering improved windage and elevation adjustment. Although the rear sight shows a slight bend, its presence underscores the rifle’s authenticity. The walnut stock shows significant service wear, including chips at the forearm and butt, as well as scattered marks from field use, yet remains solid with both its inspector cartouche and “P” proof still visible. The metal has aged to a brown patina with about 10% of finish remaining, consistent with an antique military firearm carried extensively in its era.
The bore is dark but retains sharp rifling, rating 6/10—typical for .45-70 black-powder carbines, many of which saw extensive use and suffered from the corrosive effects of black-powder residue. Mechanically, the rifle functions correctly with a positive half-cock safety and proper Trapdoor operation.
Altogether, this Springfield Model 1873 Carbine offers strong historical appeal as a late-production Indian Wars–era cavalry arm, complete with correct markings, inspector stamps, and authentic carbine components. Its honest field wear, intact mechanical function, and documented 1886 production make it a compelling addition for collectors of U.S. martial firearms and frontier-era weaponry. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid!
BF/MA
