Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1881 Trapdoor Forager Shotgun
Serial Number: 626
Year of Manufacture: 1882
Caliber/Gauge: 20 Gauge
Action Type: Trapdoor Single Shot
Barrel Length: 26"
Sights/Optics: There is a brass bead at the front of the barrel. The top of the receiver and breechblock have a groove for use as a sighting plane.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a single piece wood with a straight wrist, straight comb, and steel buttplate. Converted from a standard musket stock, the clearing rod hole in the forend has been filled across the mounting screw hole. The stock has some nicks, dings and scratches with a few more notable bruises. There is a crack in front of the rear lock mounting screw and another at the left-rear of the butt. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white showing scattered surface erosion. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is grey. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 3% of its metal finish. There is a little weak case color on interior portions of the receiver and breechblock, concealed when the action is closed. Otherwise, the surfaces have worn or been cleaned to white. There is some scattered minor oxidation and erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings in the metal are clear, the stock markings are almost completely removed. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as Antique.
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 is a scarce and historically significant U.S. military shotgun conversion that reflects the Army's adaptation of surplus Trapdoor actions for specialized roles. The Forager shotgun was intended for hunting and provisioning duties, and its compact 26" barrel makes for a handy gun for taking fowl and small game. It was a very efficient modification to the standard Model 1873 rifle, using only three new-made components, the brass bead, forend mounting screw assembly and extractor. All other parts were either the same or modified from existing parts, the barrels converted from .58 caliber muskets, stocks modified from standard rifle stocks, and receiver, breechblock and lock the same as standard rifles.
While popular with the troops, production was limited. Only 1,378 were produced with two unnumbered experimental guns in 1880 and 1,376 standard production over four orders, 1881-1884. This example, number 626, appears to be the very last gun produced for the 1882 order. This example shows wear consistent with its service. Even issued to a unit which saw no action, the fowling guns would have seen consistent use. Despite this, the gun retains strong mechanics and good markings in the metal, though the stock has been refinished with its markings mostly removed. With its limited production, this Model 1881 Forager will make an outstanding addition to any collection of US military small arms. Please see our photos and good luck!
