Springfield Model 1870 Trapdoor Rifle
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Rifle · Discontinued · 1870
Also known as: Model 1870 Trapdoor, Springfield M1870, Trapdoor Springfield (1870)
Overview
The Springfield Model 1870 Trapdoor Rifle is a single-shot, breech-loading service rifle produced at the U.S. Springfield Armory. A refinement of the earlier Model 1868, it retained Erskine S. Allin's hinged 'trapdoor' breechblock and chambered the metallic centerfire .50-70 Government cartridge, while introducing a shorter receiver, a new .50-caliber barrel and an improved rear sight. It was among the last U.S. service rifles built around the .50-70 before the Army adopted the smaller .45-70 Government with the Model 1873.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4080 g (143.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1321 mm (52.01") |
| Barrel Length | 828 mm (32.60") |
| Action Type | Trapdoor |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2120 J (1564 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 10 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| 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 Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Hinged Trapdoor Breechblock, Improved Rear Sight, Two Barrel Bands, Open Sights
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1870 · as Model 1870
Conflicts
- American Indian Wars (1870-1873)
Production
Estimated total produced: 11,000 · Production years: 1870-1873
Approximately 11,000 rifles produced across two runs at Springfield Armory; the design was superseded by the .45-70 Model 1873.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Erskine S. Allin
Discontinued: 1873
Notes
Roughly 11,000 rifles were made across two production runs between October 1870 and 1873; the later run featured a redesigned breechblock and a double-shouldered ramrod. The Model 1870 was quickly superseded by the .45-70 Model 1873.
Background
The Model 1870 marked the twilight of the big-bore .50-70 trapdoors. Even as it entered service, the Ordnance Department was already testing the lighter, flatter-shooting .45-70 that would define the Trapdoor Springfield for the rest of the century, making the 1870 a short-lived transitional arm prized today by collectors.