Springfield Trapdoor Officer Rifle 26" .45-70

At the end of the Civil War (1865), the war department had to replace the excellent muzzle loading muskets with metallic cartridge rifles. Between 1865 and 1866 appeared the first transformation of a muzzle loading Springfield musket made by Allin and in 1868 the first "Trapdoor Rifle" was built, further modified in 1870; requested , then three years later a new rifle in the .45-70 caliber . During the following 20 years quite a big number of Springfield Trapdoor rifles have been manufactured, among them also many versions with smooth barrels for cadets, for the target shooting and destined to the officers. The Springfield Trapdoor rifle is a typical gun of the American soldiers. It equipped the troops also during the Spanish-American War (1898-1899).Three of the most significant models are available: the U.S. Army Rifle, the U.S. Cavalry Carbine or the Officer's Rifle.