- #1873 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR RIFLE BAYONET SERIAL NUMBER#
- #1873 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR RIFLE BAYONET FULL#
The rear sight is of the ramp type with range markings on the right of the ramp in addition to the ladder. There is a strong covering of blueing within the breech along with a complete lack of corrosion. All the others that have passed through our hands have been three-grove bores. The bore is good with strong rifling most note-worth is the five-grove rifling .
The action is strong and functions flawlessly.
Most metal parts on the rifle have lost their original blue finish but there are traces in most of the inaccessible corners, the rest has turned to a pleasing russet brown grey. The left side wrist inspection mark is barely legible, but there is a final proof “P” between the steel trigger guard and some more unit markings on the underside of the butt, which are worth investigation, these read “1 / A / 41”. Military cartouches are a little scarce on this weapon. The tang is unit marked ” A /23 / P G” – further research required. (At the time of photographing it had an incorrect Tower rod which has been removed.) It is fitted with the plain steel butt-plate with tang. The stock is in good original condition with a smooth patina.
#1873 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR RIFLE BAYONET FULL#
It has a full length Walnut Stock with a steel cap at the front of the fore-end. The caliber as with most of the Springfield 1873 rifles is. The round blued barrel is 31.1/2″ long and has a simple front sight which doubles as the bayonet lug. This is the full length Infantry Rifle of the time and measures from muzzle to center of butt, 51.3/8″ in length. The wood to metal fit is very good it is a shame that a splinter of wood has broken away from the front of the lock, giving the impression the lock has been badly re-fitted and has pinched down on the wood, which, it has not.
SPRINGFIELD” There is a good covering of original blue on the face of the flat lock.
#1873 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR RIFLE BAYONET SERIAL NUMBER#
The rifle is clearly marked over the rear of the breech opening with its serial number “31944” The lock-plate is nicely marked with the American Eagle clutching two crossed arrows, next to “U.S. On inspection with a glass it is immediately apparent the quality of the markings is very fine. The topside of the block it is clearly marked just in-front of the hinge ” MODEL / 1873 / eagles head / crossed arrows / US” The crossed arrows, a direct reference to the conflict these weapons were involved in for a great proportion of their service life. Also apparent are the strong colors of the hardening process. When the “trapdoor” is open it is easy to see that distinctive high arch on the underside of the block. This Springfield Musket has the “high arch” breech block conversion. A Good Example of the 1873 by Springfield Armory.