Springfield 1863 Photo's

[awq134]

I had received a Springfield 1903 last year for Christmas from my father. He had been given that particular 1903, another 1903, a single shot .22 pistol, and this Springfield 1863. I had posted on the 1903 forum and someone from the TD forum said he would like to see some pictures. As it has been almost a year since that post i'm not sure if that person is still interested or not, but here are the pictures.

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. I did a little bit of research last year when my father sent me the pictures but i don't recall much of it.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[jmoore]

It's an 1863 dated lock, but it's some sort of trapdoor. Probably 50-70 judging by the breech just behind the hinge. Too tired to give more specifics or hints as to it's nature. But maybe this thread bump will help.

[gsimmons]

It's a Model 1870 trapdoor.

[awq134]

It's an 1863 dated lock, but it's some sort of trapdoor. Probably 50-70 judging by the breech just behind the hinge. Too tired to give more specifics or hints as to it's nature. But maybe this thread bump will help.

it does indeed fire 50-70. My father found that out after someone took a casting of the chamber and told him it was 50-90, so he spent a small fortune on those only to find out that they wouldn't fit.
I thought i read somewhere that the 1863 was originally a muzzleloader, but was converted to a trap door.

[awq134]

I did a little research and this is what i came up with. Please feel free to correct me if i am mistaken.

It sounds like this is a model 1870. It started out as an 1863 muzzle loader, and was converted to the trap door in 1870 to improve rate of fire. From the looks of it, this is a new barrel, not a barrel with a liner to reduce it from .58 to .50 cal. That is about all of the info i could find on it.

I forgot to mention, it shoots very well. Doesn't kick nearly as bad as i thought it would. I suppose that has something to do with how darn heavy the thing is.

[jmoore]

The lock, stock, and fittings are usually rifled musket spares. The stock, if not made new was modified to take the new breech mechanism. My books and rifle aren't accessible for a few days, and further info isn't falling out of the old brainpan! Should be some old threads on this or the Black Powder forum.

[gsimmons]

They used new made barrels in the M1870's because they were having trouble with the liners in the musket barrels.

[Bubba's friend]

Interesting and excellent pictures. Nice looking rifle.

However, I suspect that your rifle is most likely a model 1868 TD. Yes, strange and contrary to conventional wisdom.

Details on the 1868 TD Springfield:

The Springfield lock plates were recycled from muskets with a redesigned hammer. Lock plates were dated from 1862 thru 1864.

The breech blocks were dated 1868 or 1869, or 1870/Eagle/Arrows/U.S.

Your pictures indicate that both the receiver and the barrel have matching serial numbers which are in the range of production for the model 1868.

Finally, the model of 1870 was the last model that was chambered in 50-70, however that model was not serial numbered.

See The U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Information Center for additional information and scroll down to the 1868. There are several measurements that you can use to verify what you have.

Hope this helps.

[awq134]

Interesting and excellent pictures. Nice looking rifle.

However, I suspect that your rifle is most likely a model 1868 TD. Yes, strange and contrary to conventional wisdom.

Details on the 1868 TD Springfield:

The Springfield lock plates were recycled from muskets with a redesigned hammer. Lock plates were dated from 1862 thru 1864.

The breech blocks were dated 1868 or 1869, or 1870/Eagle/Arrows/U.S.

Your pictures indicate that both the receiver and the barrel have matching serial numbers which are in the range of production for the model 1868.

Finally, the model of 1870 was the last model that was chambered in 50-70, however that model was not serial numbered.

See The U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Information Center for additional information and scroll down to the 1868. There are several measurements that you can use to verify what you have.

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much, and to everyone else, for all of the helpful information. I will have to forward this information to my father so he can learn a few things about what he has.

[mannparks]

you also may find that the 50-90 cases are what will work the best in that gun, many 50-70 chambers were long so a 50-90 case trimed too fit your chamber is what was done. measure the chamber cast then trim the case accordingly.
i have a m66 , and that is exactly what i do. there is no harm in using the50-70 cases but accuracy may suffer. nice looking trapdoor from what pics you posted ,good luck have fun.---charles