Description

The Model 1873 “Trapdoor” Springfield, and its carbine variant, were adopted by the US military in 1873 and remained the primary small arms weapons until 1892 when the Krag-Jorgensen rifles replaced it. The Model 1873s were a single-shot, breech-loading rifle that was chambered to accept the .45/70 metallic cartridge. The carbine version was chambered for the .45/55 metallic cartridge. The hinged, breech-loading mechanism helped earn the rifle the suitable nickname, “The Trapdoor”. Both the rifle and carbine were powerful and accurate. The carbine model however, found unwanted fame for excessive jamming within General Custer’s ranks during the Battle of Little Big Horn. After this encounter, adjustments were made to the metals used in the rifle’s action and jams become much less frequent. During the numerous skirmishes against the Native Americas, these rifles proved to have significant stopping power, even when facing mounted combatants.