My First Springfield Trapdoor!

[Hammer]

I picked up my first trapdoor yesterday because I was looking for the rifle Marines would’ve carried and used before they converted over to 1898 Krags.

WHIG suggested that I post pictures and my questions on this forum because many Krag collectors have knowledge and information on the Springfield trapdoors and I sincerely appreciate any info people can give to help me to be able to better the history of this amazing American military rifle.

[Hammer]

I did research last night online and found that my serial number would’ve had this rifle made in January or February 1889.

Side plate and top of breach says model 1873, but it’s is in the model 1884 range, and it has the Model1884 Buffington peep site and serrated trigger. it’s stock cartouche I believe says either 1888 or 1889, which would’ve been correct for the receiver serial number.

[Hammer]

Whig checked in SRS and found that this rifle was issued to the 3rd Texas volunteer infantry regiment, company M which was mustered during the Spanish American war.

[Whig]

I'll copy and post here what I posted on another forum where op initially had this nice TD rifle:


Springfield Trapdoor rifle Model 1884 rifle is listed in Volume 2 of the Springfield Research Service records as having been issued to Company "M" 3rd Texas Volunteer Infantry Unit in 1898. This unit may have been involved in the Spanish American War in 1898. Not all of these organized volunteer units were actually sent to fight in the war. The rifle may have been owned by one of the 23 out of 943 soldiers mustered into that unit who deserted from that war. Who knows.

Later, I believe the rifle was owned by ZZ Top. He apparently stamped his initials into the stock. (Ha!)

You can research this unit and try to find more information about how your nice Springfield rifle may have been used during this historic war. Congratulations on such a nice acquisition!

You may want to post this rifle with pictures on the Krag Collector's Association forum to get Dick Hosmer's opinion on it. He is the expert on Springfield Trap Doors and has written a book on the topic which might be a good resource for you also. He is an active member on that forum. Most Springfield rifles, including Trap Doors, as far as I know, frequently went back to the arsenal or other depots to be updated with parts or repaired as needed which may explain your rifle having a mixture of parts. It has the appropriate SWP cartouche for the armory inspector at the time Samuel W. Porter with an 1888 date which may be a replaced stock. I don't have a listing of when your Model 1884 Trap Door rifle was manufactured. If it was manufactured in 1888, it could be the original stock. The date on the cartouche is usually the date that the rifle was accepted into service once fully inspected and proofed at Springfield Armory after assembly. Switched stocks can have another date but damaged and replaced stocks from the armory would not be re-stamped with a cartouche again. These details are what Dick Hosmer could help with.

[Hammer]

Beautiful stock, and the bore is very bright with sharp lands and grooves.

[Hammer]

This is what I found on the Texas 3rd volunteer infantry regiment.

[Hammer]

Chamber

[Hammer]

US spike bayonet

[Hammer]

Fore end

[Hammer]

Breech