Here's a rare and all correct First Model 1873 Trapdoor rifle in .45-70. Like many other infantry rifles that were built during relative "peace time" after a major conflict, the .45-70 Trapdoor Springfield rifle was constantly being updated and modified by Springfield during the 20 year period that the weapon was in production. In fact no less than eight distinct "models" of .45-70 trapdoors have been identified by collectors; and that's not even counting the pre -.45-70 conversion trapdoors. With this many different models floating around on the collector market, a natural attraction to first model 1873's has grown amongst the collector market; as there were fewer made then any of the subsequent models, and a majority of them were sent back to arsenal during the 1880's to be "updated" with new production features. As a result, true, unmodified First Model 1873 rifles are a rarity.
This rifle is one of the few that was never re-arsenaled; and is exactly as it was when it left the Springfield arsenal in early1875. It features a long wrist stock, a faint Erskin S. Allin cartouche, first pattern lock and hammer, first pattern thumb latch, type 1 cleaning rod, musket-style one piece front sight, 1873 rear sight and cross arrow marks on the block/
Not only is this rifle an all correct first model; its also in great shape. The early two notch tumbler holds solid on both full and half cock. The markings on the lock are good and legible. The breech block locks solidly and the extractor is in good shape and functional.
The stock is in great shape with no cracks or damage.
The barrel is full length and the bore is good with strong rifling and some light scattered pitting near the muzzle.
The furniture is all original with the exception of the cleaning rod, which is a nicely aged, correct type 1 reproduction.
