Springfield Trapdoor 1888
Ronald Frison
The Springfield Model 1888 was one of several models of rifles produced by Springfield Armory for the United States military in the late 19th century. It was the final design in a long line of rifles which used the trapdoor breechblock design developed by Erskine S. Allin in the 1860s and the last single-shot rifle to see American military service.
The trapdoor Springfields had originally been produced with reworked bayonets left over from the Civil War. When supplies of these bayonets ran low, Springfield Armory attempted to create a new design, as these bayonets were considered to be obsolete.
For the Springfield Model 1880, Springfield Armory had attempted to combine the bayonet and cleaning rod into a single unit. This model had not been successful, due to problems with the bayonet/cleaning rod retaining mechanism and poor ballistic performance of the weapon due to the heavy forward mounting mechanism.
The Model 1888 was Springfield's last attempt at producing a combined cleaning rod and bayonet design. The Model 1888 was based on the Springfield Model 1873 line of rifles, which had undergone several refinements which had been incorporated into the Springfield Model 1884. Unlike the earlier Model 1880, the Model 1888 used a round rod bayonet design.
SOLD This is a very nice, shooter grade Model 1888 trapdoor Springfield rifle in .45-70. Its collectability was done in with a coat of varnish! Great original finish on metal. Front sight replacement blade. Slight remnants of cartouches (SWP 1891 and Circled P). Rack numbers on heel of stock. I would strip varnish and oil stock. Bore is very good and sharp. Should make a very good shooter. $750 + Shipping.
Original Item: Only One Available. The Model 1888 round rod bayonet rifles were Springfield's last attempt at producing a trapdoor rifle with a working and reliable bayonet retention mechanism. The models were produced between 1890 and 1893, when trapdoor production came to an end.
Model 1884 and Model 1888 rifles saw service in the Spanish American War. The regular army was issued the new Krag rifles and the guard units received the trapdoor. There are a number of stereopticon pictures that show guard units armed with a mix of 1884 and 1888 rifles.
I am interested in the Springfield model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle : Mine is s/n 532847, but bolt (the trapdoor) is clearly stamped U.S. model 1884. So, seemingly was manufactured Oct-Dec 1891. Rifle is correct "round rod", and in all other details. Were bolts not stamped 1888 on later manufacture rifles? Or perhaps the bolt on mine was replaced during an arsenal rebuild?
The Springfield Research Service Serial Numbers books list the range of serial numbers for a M1884 rifle or carbine as 280001-503500. So your number falls outside that range. The M1884 Cadet Rifle does extend to serial number 568000.
Thank you! This helps me ascertain the correct model of mine. I've been updating my inventory database so my "kids" (lol, in their 50s) will be able to sort things out when (hopefully faaaarrr in the future) I expire.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The gun has scattered light-moderate handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there are several patches of finish loss which include two notable patches between the barrel bands and a patch on the trigger guard. The portions of the rifle where the finish has worn off have taken a patina color from light surface oxidation. Also, there is light wear around the muzzle and some nicks around the front sight. The markings remain clear. The screwheads have only light tool marks and remain serviceable. Overall, the rifle is in Very Good condition for an Antique.
The Model 1888 was the final trapdoor rifle to be manufactured for service with the US Army. In the 1880s Springfield Armory began to fabricate the trapdoors with ramrod-bayonets, a unique concept. The concept was continually improved up until the Model 1888 was introduced which had the most sturdy of all the ramrod-bayonet apparatuses. The Model 1888 is in many ways similar to the Model 1884, including the same designation on the breechnlock, but it was officially referred to as the Model 1888 in inter-governmental correspondence and has the distinct ramrod-bayonet apparatus. These reliable guns would see limited service in the Spanish American War and were still used by rear echelon formations during WWI.
This particular specimen is a Model 1888: it has the distinct ramrod-bayonet, appropriate cartouches and the correct serialization. The gun has the distinction of being the final large caliber single shot rifle to be adopted for US military service before the introduction of fixed magazine bolt-action rifles. This is a great option for historical firearms collectors. Good luck on your bid!
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