Original Item: Only One available. This is a very nice interesting example of the classic Springfield trapdoor rifle, the weapon used, in its carbine form, by the troopers of the 7th Cavalry that met their fate at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. The breech block is marked:

MODEL
1873
(EAGLE)
(CROSSED ARROWS)
U.S.

In the years following, the stamping on the breech block was simplified, removing the Eagle and Arrows, and the block itself lost the “high arch” on the underside that this example has.

In 1884 the integral Round Rod Bayonet was designed, which could double as a cleaning rod, a development that met with very limited success. However, it was not fitted to all rifles, and not usually seen until at least 1886. There are also examples of the “Model 1880” configuration produced during all time periods. It was finally replaced in 1892 with the .30-40 caliber Krag bolt action magazine rifle.

Model 1884 rifles saw service in the Spanish American War. The regular army was issued the new Krag rifles and the guard units received the trapdoor. There are a number of stereopticon pictures that show guard units armed with of 1884 rifles.

Offered in very good condition is this trapdoor rifle in .45-70 government…