Military Firearms and Memorabilia | JMS Tactical - Woodlawn, IL Gunsmith https://www.jmstactical.com Manufacturing for Accuracy Tue, 14 May 2024 17:24:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 1868 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle 50-70 Caliber https://www.jmstactical.com/product/1868-springfield-trapdoor-rifle-50-70-caliber/ Mon, 13 May 2024 17:25:40 +0000 https://www.jmstactical.com/?post_type=product&p=191951 The Springfield Model 1868 was a transitional model between the earlier Model 1866 and the more well-known Model 1873 “Trapdoor” Springfield rifles. Here are some key points about the Model 1868:

  1. Design: The Model 1868 was based on the Model 1866, which was the first centerfire cartridge-firing rifle adopted by the United States military. It retained the basic “Trapdoor” design, with a hinged breechblock at the rear of the receiver.
  2. Caliber: The Model 1868 was chambered in .50-70 Government, which was a powerful black powder cartridge used in many early Springfield rifles.
  3. Action: Like other “Trapdoor” Springfields, the Model 1868 used a single-shot, breech-loading design. The breechblock was opened by lifting a lever located on the right side of the receiver, hence the “Trapdoor” nickname.
  4. Sights: The rifle was typically equipped with a blade front sight and a folding leaf rear sight graduated to 1200 yards.
  5. Stock: The stock was made of walnut and featured a distinct “slanting” comb, which was a feature of many early Springfield rifles.
  6. Bayonet: The Model 1868 was designed to accept a socket bayonet, which was mounted on the muzzle.
  7. Production: Production of the Model 1868 was relatively limited, as it was quickly superseded by the improved Model 1870 and then the Model 1873 “Trapdoor” rifles.

In terms of value, the Model 1868 Springfield Trapdoor rifle is a collectible firearm, particularly for enthusiasts of American military arms. The value can vary depending on factors such as condition, originality, and historical provenance. As of my last update, a Model 1868 in good condition could be valued at anywhere from $1500 to $3000 or more, but prices may vary based on the specific rifle and current market conditions

]]> Springfield 1884 Trapdoor Rifle 45-70 https://www.jmstactical.com/product/springfield-1884-trapdoor-rifle-45-70/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:24:01 +0000 https://www.jmstactical.com/?post_type=product&p=191907 The Springfield Model 1884 was a breech-loading rifle designed by Springfield Armory and used by the United States Army. It was a refinement of the earlier Model 1873 “Trapdoor” Springfield rifle and was chambered for the .45-70 Government cartridge. The “trapdoor” nickname comes from the hinged breechblock at the rear of the weapon, which could be opened to load a single round.

The Model 1884 featured improvements over its predecessor, including a new rear sight, an improved retaining mechanism for the breechblock, and a modified extractor. It served as the standard-issue rifle for the U.S. military from the mid-1880s until it was gradually replaced by the bolt-action Krag-Jørgensen rifle starting in the late 1890s.

The .45-70 Government cartridge used in the Model 1884 was a powerful black powder cartridge, originally developed for use in the Springfield Model 1873. It remained in service for many years and is still used today by some shooters and hunters, albeit in modern firearms.

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