Springfield Model 1881 Trapdoor Forager Shotgun

Indian Wars

20 Gauge. 26" barrel. SN: 1155. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth walnut carbine style stock made from surplus Civil War musket stock, secured by a screw. Single shot breechloading "Trapdoor" action shotgun for foraging with a correct pattern carbine triggerguard, grooved trigger, notched breechblock rear sight, brass post and bead front sight and made without sling swivels or barrel bands. Standard early pattern 1873 lock is marked with a {Spread Winged Eagle} and U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873 on the lock with correct two-click tumbler. Breech block marked 1881 and receiver serial numbered 1155. A partly visible script SWP/1885 cartouche is present on the counterpane, with a good {Circle-P} firing proof behind the triggerguard and the block inspector initials J.B.. These interesting single shot shotguns were produced at Springfield Arsenal circa 1881-1885 for issue primarily to troops serving in western outposts, where these were issued at the rate of two per company. The guns were intended to allow the troops to supplement standard military food rations with small game and fowl. A total of 1376 were produced and Ordnance returns indicate they were still in use as late as 1906 in Alaska. The Springfield Research Service has a limited number of Model 1881 Forager numbers in their serial number books, with #1070 and #1086 both being in use with the 12th Infantry circa 1890-1891 and #1262 being part of the museum collection at Springfield Arsenal. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.