Model 1888 Trapdoor Rifle with Rod Bayonet. …………..SOLD

A Good Springfield model 1888 Rod Bayonet Rifle

The last of the “Trapdoors”  issued to American troops in the 1880’s. These solid accurate rifles saw service from the Indian Wars in the U.S. all the way through to the Spanish American War, even onwards into the First World War..  They evolved from the 1866 E.S.Allin Trapdoor conversion, where a standard percussion 1861 musket was taken and adapted, to function as a breech loaders.  The rear 4.1/2″ of the original Springfield muskets were cut away  and a new breech-loading system installed in is place.  The opening system was likened to a trapdoor and so it picked up that name.  The British version was hinged in-line with the bore and is sometimes called the swinging breech system but, more commonly known as the Snider Enfield, after its designer.

The original side lock and trigger system was retained and unaffected by the conversion.  The original barrel was retained and re-proofed but, in this case, eventually a later sighting system installed.  The rifle is chambered in .45-70 gov’t.   The Trapdoor Springfield is 52″ in overall length. The round barrel is 32.1/2″ long, and the trigger pull is 13.3/8″.  The rifle is fully stocked but does not have a hand-guard – as issued.  Finish of the metal work was blued but most has changed to a deep plumb brown.  The barrel has the following U.S  proof-marks “P / V/P/eagles head /P”

The side lock is flat and flush to the stock, with a superb but slightly worn American Eagle with spread wings.  The first type lock plate type is also marked as follows; “U.S./ SPRINGFIELD /1873”.  The actual hammer has good definition and is plain, apart from the cross hatched patch to aid grip by the thumb.  The highest percentage of remaining blue on  the rifle, is on the surface of the lock plate, behind the hammer.  Grey brown trigger guard with ribbed trigger face for better grip.

The hinged breech block is marked; “US / MODEL / 1873” and behind the breech block is the serial number “319121.  The actual breech block has just a hint of the original case-colour hardening on it.  The cut-away on the underside of the breech block has the shallow curve and the squared shoulders.  Retained within the breech block is the firing pin.

The steel butt-plate has a trap which is for the storage of the cleaning and maintenance kit,  A/F.  The trap opens sideways, it is fairly stiff and needs positive action by the thumb to open it..  The rear sights are the later 1884 “Buffington” type.  They are correctly marked “R” in the top RH corner of the top leaf – “R” for rifle as opposed to C for carbine.  The bayonet which comes with the rifle doubles as the cleaning rod.  To use it as a bayonet the rod can be pulled forward after pressing the release catch at the front end under the muzzle, the bayonet is then pulled out to length of  16.1/2″.  It was not popular as a weapon as it had a habit of breaking off in its victim.  If the catch is then operated again the rod can be completely removed and used for cleaning.  When removed its full length is 35.1/2″.    It is stored in the old cleaning rod hole.  The top of the round barrel has a superb plum-brown colour to it.  The barrel is attached by two barrel bands, the forward one, also has a stacking hook.

The hammer when pulled back has three positions, the furthest back, being ready to fire.  The .45-70 round is a great long distance performer for this age of musket.  It is not difficult to reload and not difficult to find in stores geared up for this type of shooting.  This trapdoor has a good bore with the standard shallow rifling.  The stock is in excellent condition though, there is no visible cartouche.  But, there are some letters crudely carved into the butt, there is clearly an inverted “S.C” and a “W”,  probably a tropers initials  carved at some time in the rifles period of service.  On the tang of the butt plate is a clear “U.S.”    The rifle is freshly London proofed in 2014.  These are a great large caliber rifle to shoot at reasonable cost.

Stock No’  f 380

£ 900.  SOLD

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