Mass produced by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts between 1873 and 1884, a total of 216,000 of the .45-70 caliber Trapdoor rifles were made.

This rifle specimen, in extraordinarily fine original condition, measures a total of 51 ½” in length, bears serial number #252616 (made in the 4th quarter 1884.) Its round barrel measures almost 33” long, has three-groove rifling in .45 caliber and accommodates a centerfire .45-70 metallic cartridge. Bore is absolutely minty. Iron surfaces wear a fine, blue / black factory coloring and show excellent original casehardening on the low-arch breech block and barrel tang. Breechblock, with its wide, round corners, bears the clear stamping “US / MODEL / 1873 at the hinge and the serial # on the upper flat at back of the receiver. The barrel just forward of the breech is stamped “VP” with an eagle head followed by another “P” close up against the breech. Iron lockplate, with no bevel, fits flush with stock and exhibits a spreadwinged eagle motif front of hammer. Stamping “US / SPRINGFIELD” forward of eagle.

Mechanics crisp, excellent. Hammer has the fine knurled lip. Stacking swivels at the upper barrel band; regular swivel at the triggerguard. Excellent black walnut stock never cleaned and exhibits a mellow patina with very few handling marks. Very fine, deep government cartouche “SMP / 1883” stamped on left wrist area. Stock bears the firing test proof in fancy script “P” (within a circle) to right triggerguard plate on stock underside. The M73 was the first trapdoor model to bear that proof symbol. Barrel has Model 1879 long-range rear sight with the folding adjustable slide leaf. Front sight blade held by pin. Longarm has its original M1878 cupped cleaning rod below the stock.

A very fine M1873 trapdoor.

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