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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE MODEL 1868 TRAPDOOR .50-70 SN# 30776
Maker/Manufacturer:	ALLIN, ERSKINE S.
Date of Manufacture:	1870
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 1080
Measurements:	OL:131.5CM 51 7/8" BL: 82.5CM 32 1/2"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE MODEL 1868 TRAPDOOR .50-70 SN# 30776
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. in 1870 - Standard Model 1868 single-shot breechloading rifle. 3-groove rifling. Iron furniture, finished bright. Model 1868 long-range rear sight. Front sight on lug serving as bayonet stud. Two-bands, spring fastened. Bright finish. Unlike previous models this weapon has a receiver which is a separate unit and a new barrel screwed into it. Weapon has an overall length of 51 7/8" and a barrel length of 32 1/2".

Markings:
Lock: 1863 behind hammer. Eagle. U.S./SPRINGFIELD forward of the hammer.
Breechblock: 1869/Eaglehead/Crossed Arrows/ U.S.
Barrel, receiver: 30776.
Bands: U.
Buttplate: US.
Stock: Three faint inspectors' marks on left side of stock (one oval, two rectangular). Letter L below triggerguard.

1909 Catalog #0280 - "Musket. Sp'f'd Rifled Musket. Cal. 50."

Notes: Springfield altered 52,145 M1863 Civil War rifle-musket to M1868 breechloaders. Due to the fact the lining on many of the M1866 alterations had separated in service, the M1868 was given a totally new shorter barrel with Allin type receiver attached.
This was the first Trapdoor conversion to use the cartridge extractor covered by U.S. Patent No. 68,009, issued August 27, 1867 to W.H. & G.W. Miller.

According to some reports .50 caliber Springfield rifles were in service with units from Florida and Wyoming during the Spanish-American War.

"This arm differs from the Model 1866, in that the practice of conversion, by using Civil War muskets barrels reduced in caliber by a liner tube, has been abandoned in favor of a new barrel made for the Springfield (Allin) rising block action, which action was definitely approved for retention in the service by a Board of Officers in January, 1868." - Gluckman

References:
Clark, David S. ARMS FOR THE NATION. Scott A. Duff. Export, Pa. 1992.
Dorsey, R. Stephen. GUNS OF THE WESTERN INDIAN WAR. Collectors Library. Eugene, Or. 1995.
Frasca, Albert J. & Robert H. Hill. 1909 CATALOG OF THE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MUSEUM ARMS & ACCOUTERMENTS. Revised. Springfield Publishing Co. Carson City, Nv. 1995.
Frasca, Albert J. & Robert Hill. THE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD. Springfield Publishing Co. Northridge, Ca. 1980.
Frasca, Albert J. THE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD BOOK II. 1865-1893. Frasca Publishing Co. Springfield, Oh. 1997.
Gluckman, Arcadi. IDENTIFYING OLD U.S. MUSKETS, RIFLES & CARBINES. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg, Pa. 1965.
Poyer, Joe & Crag Riesch. THE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD. 4th Ed. North Cape Publications. Tustin, Ca. 2006.