Original U.S. Excellent Civil War Springfield M-1863 Rifle Converted to M-1868 Trapdoor Rifle Using ALLIN System in 1870 with Cartouches - Serial 31275

Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is a real peach, possibly the best example that we have EVER seen! This rifle started out as a Civil War Springfield Rifle Musket, dated 1863, made by SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, as indicated on the lock plate. There is also the "Spread Eagle" and U.S. marking, indicating military production. This particular rifle looks to have been made as a Transitional Model 1863 Type II, as it has screw retained bands held in place by springs. Around 700,000 of all Model 1863 types were produced from 1863 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.

Originally, the trapdoor Springfields were created to convert Model 1863 Springfield rifled muskets to breech-loading rifles at a relatively low cost. This conversion consisted of replacing the percussion lock with the breech-loading trapdoor mechanism, and relining the barrels to convert them from .58 to .50 caliber. This proved problematic, because in the field, the lining tended to separate from the barrel.

To correct this problem, the Model 1868 used a new barrel instead of relining the original older barrel. The new barrel was slightly shorter, 32.5 inches, compared to the 36.5-inch barrel used on the Model 1866. The shorter barrel was affixed using only two barrel bands, instead of the three used on the Model 1866. Since it lacked the middle barrel band, the sling was affixed to the upper barrel band instead. The Model 1868 also differed from previous models in that it used a separate Allin type receiver with the barrel attached to it. The Model 1868 was also the first trapdoor conversion to use the cartridge extractor covered by U.S. Patent No. 68,009, issued August 27, 1867 to W.H. & G.W. Miller. The Model 1868 had an overall length of 51 7⁄8 inches.

Over 50,000 Model 1868 rifles were manufactured 1868-1870, chambered for the .50-70 450 cartridge. This model is unique in the 'trapdoor' series by being marked with the actual year of manufacture (1868, 1869, or 1870) on the breech-block. This model served as the stepping stone towards the definitive Model 1873 "Trapdoor Springfield" series of rifles in .45-70 caliber, which was adopted in 1873 as the standard military longarm of the United States armed forces for the next 20 years.

In fanastic condition, the lock on this example is dated 1863 on the lock plate tail, with an EAGLE under the hammer next to U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, indicating production at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Breech Block is marked 1870 with an Eagle head / Crossed Arrows / U.S. cartouche underneath, and the receiver and barrel breech are marked with serial number 31275 on the left hand side. The left side of the stock rear of the lock screws is stamped with FOUR legible inspection cartouches from Springfield Arsenal, some from original production, and some from when it was converted. The cartouches by the front lock screw and furthest rear are "boxed" ESA oval cartouches, for Erskine. S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory from 1853 until his death in 1879, as well as the designer of the trapdoor system. The boxed rectangular cartouches closest two the rear lock screw both look to read FWS, for Frank W. Sanderson, a civilian employee at Springfield who was an armorer and an inspector of finished arms from at least 1862 until around 1879 as well. In excellent condition this is a rare U.S. Military Rifle that led to the legendary Model of 1873.

The bore is in excellent condition, with the three groove rifling showing a bright finish with little sign of use. We can even still see the original cutting marks in the grooves! There is just a bit of wear, and no signs of major fouling or oxidation. The breech block opens and locks closed correctly, and the firing pin is present and mobile, with the spring still intact. The cartridge extractor and ejector are present and functional, though we have not tested its ability to eject spent brass.

The metalwork of the rifle displays a lovely polished bright patina, very close to the original finish, showing some staining and past peppering in a few places, which was cleaned away. We do not see any signs of major cleaning or restoration. The rifle still has both sling swivels, and the cleaning rod is also still present, though the threaded end was cut off at some point. The rear leaf sight is fully intact and functional, something that we do not see very often. The barrel bands are all U marked and the buttplate is U.S. marked.

The stock is in excellent condition, with beautiful grain and a lovely brown color to the walnut. It has a lovely color and oiled finish, and shows the expected dents, dings, and small gouges from light service. We do not see any cracks or other major damage, and the geometry is still sharp, so it has not been sanded down or majorly restored in the past.

A fantastic example of the M-1868 Converted rifle with a great bore, fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1863 - Converted 1870
Caliber: .50-70 government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 52 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Trapdoor Breech Single Shot

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