Springfield Model 1868 Trapdoor
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Rifle · Discontinued · 1868
Also known as: Model 1868 Springfield, Allin Conversion Model 1868, Trapdoor Springfield Model 1868
Overview
The Springfield Model 1868 is a single-shot, breech-loading trapdoor rifle developed at Springfield Armory by master armorer Erskine S. Allin. Chambered for the .50-70 Government cartridge, it opened via a hinged breechblock lifted by a lever on the right of a newly introduced long, separate receiver. Refining the earlier Model 1866, it used a shorter 32.6-inch barrel secured by only two barrel bands and served as the direct forerunner of the definitive .45-70 Model 1873.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4170 g (147.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1317 mm (51.85") |
| Barrel Length | 828 mm (32.60") |
| Action Type | Trapdoor |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2120 J (1564 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 823 m (900 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 1067 mm (42.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .50-70 Government · primary — also known as .50-70 Musket, .50-70-450
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Hinged Breechblock, Two Barrel Bands, Folding Leaf Rear Sight, Long Receiver, Cleaning Rod
Variants
- Springfield Model 1868 Carbine - Carbine
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1868 · as Model 1868
Conflicts
- American Indian Wars (1868-1890)
Production
Estimated total produced: 52,000 · Production years: 1868-1870
Peak production October 1869 through June 1870; superseded by the Model 1870 and the .45-70 Model 1873.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Erskine S. Allin
Discontinued: 1870
Notes
Roughly 52,000 were produced, with peak manufacture from October 1869 through June 1870. The breechblock is dated by year (1868 examples are extremely rare); the rear sight is graduated to 900 yards.
Background
The trapdoor action was Erskine Allin's low-cost method of converting muzzle-loading Springfields to breechloaders, and the Model 1868's separate receiver bridged those conversions and the purpose-built Model 1873 that armed the U.S. Army for two decades.