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U.S. Springfield 1866 .50-70 Trapdoor Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 2,400.00 USD
U.S. Springfield 1866 .50-70 Trapdoor Rifle
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You are bidding on a excellent historically significant U.S. Springfield 1866 .50-70 Trapdoor Rifle. This was the first center fire rifle issued by the U.S. Government mainly for the Indian Wars. All were conversions to cartridge-firing breech loading rifles made from Civil War U. S. Springfield Model 1861 .58 caliber muzzle loaders. This was the rifle used in the last battles of Red Cloud’s War in the famous battles known as the “Wagon Box Fight” near Fort Phil Kearny in Wyoming on August 2, 1867, and the “Hayfield Fight” the previous day on August 1, 1867 near Fort C. F. Smith in Wyoming. In both instances soldiers from each fort were away performing wood cutting or hay gathering tasks when large numbers of Lakota Sioux attacked. Unknown to the Indian attackers, the soldiers were armed with the new Model 1866 .50 caliber breech loading rifles. After the first volley was fired by the soldiers, the Indians, believing the soldiers now had to reload their muzzle loading rifles, charged. Instantly the soldiers reloaded their new rifles and fired again. Confused by this rapidity of fire, the Indians withdrew and eventually abandoned the fights. It was only the new Model 1866 rifles that allowed a small number of well armed soldiers to hold off a superior number of Indians. This rare and totally original example is in excellent condition overall. The breech block clearly stamped “1866” over the correct eagle head stamping. “U.S.” marked butt plate. Correct folding leaf sights. The lock plate also correctly stamped with the “eagle” and “U.S. Springfield” as well as the date 1864 (this was the original Civil War lock plate that was correctly converted to breech loading in 1866). The wood has never been sanded, cleaned or refinished and is solid without cracks or damage. The barrels on Model 1866 rifles were left “in the white” meaning they were not blued as later guns were, the metal surfaces on the barrel have never been cleaned or polished and now have a natural aged patina which is important to this model. Sling Swivels are intact, mechanically superb condition and even has a sharp, well maintained excellent bore. Many of these early cartridge firing Springfield rifles were later cut down and “sporterized” by frontiersmen and it is very difficult to find an example in all original condition. A key firearm of the early post-Civil War Indian Wars of the West. This is an excellent example worthy of the finest firearm or Native American Artifact collection or museum. This is a antique firearm. NO FFL transfer or NICS background check required.