Included in this lot is a U.S. Springfield Model 1868 .50-70 caliber Trapdoor rifle. These scarce U.S. issued military rifles were only manufactured from 1868-1872. All are serial numbered on the side of the barrel and breech block. This superb example has the same matching number of 27205 on each part. The Model 1868 is the direct forerunner of the later Model 1873 .45-70 Trapdoor Springfield. The Model 1868 Springfield utilized left over lock plates and other various parts from earlier Civil War .58 caliber muzzle loading rifles that the arsenal still had on hand. All lock plates on this model are from these earlier rifles and are marked with the American eagle over “U. S. Springfield” and dated either 1863 or 1864 on the rear section of the lock. This one is correctly dated 1863. Further, the top of the breech block is correctly and clearly stamped with an eagle’s head, crossed arrows and the date 1869. The butt plate is also sharply marked “U.S.” All metal parts were finished at the arsenal “in the white” which means metal parts were polished bright and not blue'd. This example shows exceptional bright parts and with clear, sharp markings. The stock also is in superb condition showing only very light handling marks and displaying the correct inspector stamp “ESA” in an oval. The bore condition is minty bright with sharp rifling throughout. The standard 32 ½” barrel retains the correct rear ladder sight with slide intact and the cleaning rod is also intact. These early .50-70 single shot Trapdoor Springfields were the rifles sent to the West for the early Indian Wars. The Native American warriors were in for a terrible surprise the first time they faced U.S. troops armed with these accurate, cartridge firing rifles. In the past, Indians waited for soldiers armed with muzzle loaders to fire. Then, when they were reloading, the Indians would attack. The first time they tried this, the troopers quickly reloaded and fired again with devastating results. From archeological discoveries made at the Little Bighorn Battlefield where George Armstrong Custer met his fate, it is known that Indian forces used a number of previously captured .50-70 Springfield rifles against the 7th Cavalry. It is also interesting to note that here in Bozeman, Montana, Fort Ellis would issue surplus .50-70 Springfield's to unarmed settlers in need of firearms to protect themselves. In the 1870s a large number of buffalo hunters were known to have used .50-70 Springfields to great and lethal effect on the herds. With production time and numbers small, the Model 1868 Springfield is a difficult arm for collectors to obtain. This is an outstanding example that would be hard to improve upon. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.