Springfield Armory Allin (Trapdoor) 1873 Cadet Rifle

This Cadet rifle was made in the second quarter of 1876 between April and June at the Springfield National Armory.  Serial number 67085 is marked across the top rear of the receiver. 

The lock plate is marked with the spread-eagle motif and U.S. SPRINGFIELD over 1873.  The locks tumbler has two notches.  The plates finish retains about 80% color and the hammer shows very little case hardening color.  The hammer has a fine stamped oval shaped knurl on the thumb spur and the small clipped lower face edge.  Refaced the hammer face to remove a raised edge indentation from dry firing with an improper cone head firing pin.

The breech block is marked with MODEL / 1873 / eagle head / crossed arrows / U.S.  It is a high arch configuration.  Replaced the cone head firing pin with a wide faced one.  The breech block retains very little original finish. 

The receiver retains 70% color on internal surfaces and has thinned to about 50% on exposed surfaces.  It has short and shallow gas ports.

The barrel has a V (viewing proof, .065" high), P (firing proof, .065" high), eagle head (.218" tall) and P (final firing proof, .065" high).  These are marked just forward of the receiver on the left side.  There are 2 P’s (burst proofs) stamped on the bottom of the barrel and show that the rifle was proofed twice.  One is 1/2” forward of the receiver and the second is 3/4” forward of the receiver.  The barrel/receiver index marks are in perfect alignment and original.  The barrel retains about 70% blue with thinning for the first 2” at the muzzle due to use with a bayonet.  There is moderate pitting scattered throughout the bore with most towards the muzzle.  There is also moderate rod wear to the rifling at the muzzle.  

The stock has an excellent ESA (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche.  There is a stock fitters letter J 3/8” rear of the trigger plate and a large script P in a 7/16” dia. circle (firing proof) 1/2” rear of the plate.  There are very few dents and scratches.  A number 9 is stamped on the heal forward of the butt plate tang and on the upper wrist rear of the breech screw tang.  The butt plate retains about 50% finish.  It is marked US forward of the top screw.  It has the reinforcement at the lower screw hole on the back.  There is a small chip missing at the latch recess.  The cleaning rod stop is marked PAT. / AUG. 16 / 1870.  The ram rod head is round with six cannelures and a flat non-cupped tip.

The upper and lower barrel bands are marked with a small U and retain about 80% blue.  The stacking swivel is marked on the left leg with PAT.M and the right leg with 31 74.. 

The trigger plate, bow, and nose cap retain about 80% blue.  The trigger plate has the square pads of the M1864 style.  The trigger bow is the latter 1873 long leg version.  The straight leg is properly positioned to the rear.  

The 1873 rear sight base is marked 1 through 4 and the leaf is marked 5 through 11.  It is mounted with slotless screws. 

Specifications

                                                Published                   This rifle

Overall length                         49”                              48 15/16”

Cleaning rod length                32 9/16”                      32 9/16”

Rod cannelures                        3 1/8”                          3 1/8”

Stock dims.                            

Length                                     45.75”                         45 7/8”

Width at butt                           1.50”                           1.535”

Wrist circumference                5 3/8”                          5 3/8”

Comb length                           9”                                9”

Barrel dims.                           Published                   This rifle

Length                                     29.60”                         29 5/8”

Dia. at breach                          1.044”                         1.047”

Dia. at muzzle                         .730”                           .730”

Front sight length                    5/16” (.312)                 .343”

Sight stud from muzzle           1 1/4”                          1.241”

Blade height from C/L            .595”                           .597”

Receiver width                       1.076”                         1.073”

Trigger bow                            1” max. width             .980”

Head space      Go = .070        No Go = .075”             .078”

Various markings

Lock plate       H P C HC

Trigger                         L

Main spring     S on base end, Y on hook end

Tumbler           2