Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1873, custom Carbine
Serial Number: 16372
Year of Manufacture: Receiver manufactured 1874.
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Trapdoor Single Shot
Barrel Length: 22"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is an M1884 Buffington Rifle sight fixed to the rear of the barrel. A piece of wood has been glued to the left of the rear sight assembly, appearing to prevent windage adjustment. The rear sight is not original to the barrel.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with spring-clip secured barrel band, straight grip, straight comb, sling bar on the left with ring and steel buttplate. The stock shows minor handling wear with a few scattered light marks. There are no chips or cracks. The fit of the wood to the metal has some thin gaps. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a light patina with wear at the heel and toe. Overall, the stock is in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Some finish is original to the parts. The receiver has been refinished. Several parts are not original to the receiver.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7-8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. Strongest finish is on the receiver and its tang with some case color remaining on interior portions of the block. There is scattered remaining finish on the barrel, mostly around the rear sight assembly and in front of the forend. Other surfaces have mostly muted gone to a fairly uniform patina. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There is some scattered light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique and not parts-original.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This U.S. Springfield Model 1873 is built on a receiver manufactured in 1874. It is a customized example of the iconic single-shot service rifle that armed American soldiers during the latter half of the 19th century. Chambered in .45-70 Government, the Trapdoor Springfield was the standard-issue rifle of the U.S. Army from 1873 through the 1890s, seeing service during the Indian Wars, in frontier outposts, and with volunteer units through the Spanish-American War. The Model 1873 represents one of the most important transitional designs in American military small arms, bridging the gap between muzzleloaders and modern repeaters, with its hinged breechblock "trapdoor" mechanism and robust black powder chambering.
This rifle has been assembled in a Carbine-style configuration with what appears to be a real, but later production barrel installed on its early receiver. The rear sight was harvested from a rifle, bearing an "R" marked on the ladder arm, the guard was similarly taken from a rifle, likely also the buttplate. The stock appears to be a modern production replacement. It doesn't appear that anyone tried to pass this off as a genuine carbine, but rather was a project gun for a previous owner. As an antique firearm, this Springfield Trapdoor rifle holds tremendous appeal for collectors of U.S. military arms and enthusiasts of frontier-era weaponry. Please see our photos and good luck!
