Original U.S. Civil War Springfield M-1863 Rifle Converted to M-1866 Trapdoor Using 2nd Allin System - dated 1865

Original Item: One Only. This is something we don't see everyday! This rifle started out as a Civil War Springfield Rifle Musket, dated 1865, made by SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, as indicated on the lock plate. There is also the "Spread Eagle" over U.S. marking, indicating military production. This particular rifle started life either as a Model 1861, or a Model 1863, Type II, sometimes called the model 1864, though it was produced prior to that. These both featured a single leaf rear sight and solid barrel bands held in place by band springs. Around 1,700,000 of all Springfield Rifled Musket types were produced from 1861 until the end of the Civil War in 1865.

The U.S. Civil war had confirmed the adage of NEED is the Mother of INVENTION. Muzzle Loading Muskets and Rifles were extensively used but new developments continually resulted in a "fresh" breach loading system being adopted on a trial basis. The Union had as many as NINETEEN different systems issued during the war and the ALLIN system was a version that was considered a determination was made to standardize.

The Trapdoor system seemed to be the one that satisfied most authorities so more trials were held, and the trapdoor was adopted. The government then looked for for cost effective ways to modernize their rifles, and one way was to convert muzzle loading Rifle muskets to a breech loaders, as seen throughout the world. The 1866 Trapdoor was made using a Civil War percussion Rifle which was made into a breech loader using a .50 cal barrel. and each years the system was improved until the finish result was the Model of 1873 which was adopted and remained until the Krag Rifle was introduced in the 1890s.

There is an excellent work TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD by Waite and Ernst published in 1980 that covered this very subject from 1865 - 1893. The very first Chapter is entitled "The ALLIN Breech-Loading System" which covers the Model Trap door rifle we offer here. The conversion made inventive use of the existing parts of the barrel, such as the cap lock bolster being turned into part of the breech lock system.

In great fully polished condition, the lock is dated 1865 across the tail, with a clear EAGLE next to U.S. over SPRINGFIELD, indicating production at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Breech Block is DATED 1866 over an Eagle's head cartouche. A real showpiece, this is a rare U.S. Military Rifle that led to the the legendary Model of 1873. It looks to have been completely restored at some point, with the metalwork polished bright except for the breech block, which was lightly blued along with the hammer. The stock has also been completely refinished, and looks fantastic. There is even still a clear oval HSH cartouche on the left side, for a known but unidentified inspector of Springfield Muskets during the Civil War Era.

All three barrel bands are correctly U marked, with the correct US on the butt plate tang, and both sling swivels are present and move easily. It still has the correct cleaning rod under the barrel, which has also been polished like the rest of the rifle.

The bore is excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is very little evidence it saw any real use, and the cutting marks in the grooves are still readily apparent. The complicated ejection system on the left side used on early conversions is actually still present on this example, and actually is still fully functional! It involves a spring loaded ejector mounted into the side of the receiver. This is one of the few times that we have had an example with this system still present. It also still features the tab on the breech block to aid with ejection. The lock and breech mechanism are fully functional.

A very interesting piece of U.S. firearms history in beautiful display conditions, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1865 - Converted c.1866
Caliber: .50-70 government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 36 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot

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