Make: Springfield Armory

Model: 1870, "Trapdoor" Rifle

Serial Number: None

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1870-1873, 1864 Lockplate

Caliber: .50-70 Government

Action Type: Single Shot Trapdoor

Barrel Length: 32 1/2"

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a short post atop a small raised base. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when down and with a "V"-notched slider on the ladder graduated from 200-900 yards. There is a fixed "U"-notch at the top of the ladder.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with nosecap, two barrel bands, straight grip, straight comb and steel buttplate. There is a sling swivel mounted in the front barrel band and another on the front of the trigger guard. The forend is slotted for the included clearing rod. The buttplate tang is stamped "US" and "LNC". The stock has fairly even light-moderate wear with more notable wear in front of the rear band. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are a few small losses around edges, most notable at the rear of the rod slot and on the top-right edge in front of the latch. The cartouches show some wear, but are generally legible. The LOP measures 13 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a light patina with scattered wear. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Bright, Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp 3-groove rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. There is strong finish remaining on portions of the receiver and breechblock concealed when the action is closed. Otherwise, most surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina with a little bright-finish still showing on the barrel. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There is scattered light oxidation and infrequent minor surface erosion. There is some residue from the stock's new finish. 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 about Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The hammer does not catch at half-cock. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Erskine S. Allin was the Master Armorer at Springfield Armory at the end of the Civil War and was tasked with converting surplus muzzleloaders into more modern breech loaded rifles. Working around the same time as Jacob Snider, Franz Wänzl and several other innovators, the Allin system was born in 1865. All of these systems were quite similar with only minor variations. The Model 1865 was patented in September of that year (several months after the Civil War) and was soon dubbed the "Trapdoor" rifle. The next evolution in the Allin system is remembered as the Model 1866 "Second Allin Conversion", built on M1863 muzzleloaders the gun had improved ballistics over his prior action. The gun was chambered for the then modern .50-70 centerfire cartridge and proved a formidable weapon for its time. The next variant was the Model 1868 which, unlike its two predecessors, was fabricated as a breechloader from scratch and they were serialized, the only variant chambered for .50-70 Government that had serialization, although surplus parts from obsolete muskets were still used in its construction. The Model 1868 was very well constructed and continued to see service with the Navy and Marine Corps into the 1880s. The final .50-70 variant was the Model 1870 with a little more than 11,000 produced, primarily for experimentation, before the adoption of the .45-70 chambered Model 1873.

This particular specimen is a Model 1870. The gun shows wear consistent with its age, but it remains aesthetically pleasing and mechanically sound. The bore is in better condition than the external appearance might indicate, likely seeing limited use during its service. This is a great option for fans of US martial arms and historical firearms more broadly. Good luck on your bid!