Springfield Armory Model 1873 Trapdoor Infantry Rifle, .45-70 Govt., 32-inch Barrel (1876, Indian Wars Era)
This Springfield Armory Model 1873 Trapdoor Infantry Rifle is an antique .45-70 Government example manufactured in 1876. It presents the full-length, two-band infantry configuration with a 32-inch barrel and the external-hammer trapdoor action. It bears clear U.S. military markings and barrel proofs consistent with its Indian Wars era production.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are heavy signs of use consistent with the rifle's age. The chamber-side of the bore shows localized roughness.
What’s Included
- Springfield Armory Model 1873 Trapdoor Infantry Rifle
The rifle follows the infantry configuration with a 32-inch barrel secured by two bands and a full-length walnut stock. It is chambered in .45-70 Government and uses the classic single-shot, external-hammer trapdoor mechanism, aligning with U.S. military pattern rifles of the period.
Sighting equipment includes a pinned blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight with a graduated scale. The rear sling swivel is mounted on the trigger guard bow, the front sling swivel is on a barrel band, and the stacking swivel is on the front band; the length of pull measures 13.0 for a traditional full-size military stock.
Military markings and proofs are present: V/P/[eagle head]/P barrel proofs; the lockplate is marked "U.S. SPRINGFIELD" with eagle and "1873"; the breechblock is marked "U.S. MODEL 1873"; and the buttplate tang is stamped "U.S." These marks support its U.S. origin and government inspection.
The rifle retains a blued-and-case-hardened finish—blued barrel and bands with a case-hardened breechblock, lockplate, and hammer—paired with an oil-finished black walnut stock. Stock features include a straight wrist and hardware appropriate to the Model 1873 series, reflecting the era’s standard construction and durability.