Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1868, "Trapdoor" Rifle
Serial Number: 19289
Year of Manufacture: 1870, 1863 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 stock has scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable marks. There are a few tiny losses around edges and a tiny crack at the rear of the receiver tang. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light oxidation and wear. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Bright and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original, the bright parts have likely seen some cleaning or light polishing.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined 3-groove rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The case color is generally muted or gone to patina on the lockplate and hammer. The breech-block assembly has stronger finish with infrequent minor erosion. There is infrequent other minor surface erosion and scattered minor oxidation. There are a few light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screws range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: 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 (an American salesman who patented a breech-loading system which he sold to the British), Franz Wänzl (a Viennese gunsmith who patented a breech-loading system with the Austrian Empire) 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 came a year later and 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 (this was 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 .45-70 trapdoors were introduced in 1873).
This particular specimen is a Model 1868, one of 52,145 made of the specific variant. The gun has some honest wear but it remains aesthetically pleasing and mechanically sound. This is a great option for fans of US martial arms and historical firearms more broadly. Good luck on your bid!
