Need info US Springfield Rifle

[BigMik1]

Need info on this rifle. It has "1864" on it and "1866" stamped on the reciever with an eagle head on it. What you guys think?

Thanks for your help,

BigMik1

 

[BigG]

It's a "trapdoor" Springfield, one of the first metallic cartridge long arms adopted for US infantry troops. May be a converted rifled musket from the Civil War. I believe the trapdoor was designed by Allyn, to convert said muskets economically to breech loaders. If it is the old pattern, it would be 50/70 caliber, a later one would be 45/70.

Some expert will probably be along soon and give you more exact details.

 

[BigMik1]

Thanks for the info BigG, but what year was this gun produced probably and what is it worth? And should we take that name tag off the rifle for value sake?

BigMik1

 

[Jim Watson]

Dates of 1964 on the lockplate and 1866 on the receiver mark this Springfield Trapdoor as a Model 1866 U.S. Breechloading Rifle, Allin Conversion, also known as the Second Model Allin Conversion. Clearer picture is needed to confirm mechanical details.

These were actually converted from a Civil War .58 rifle musket by inserting the breechblock and lining the barrel to .50 caliber for the .50-70 cartridge. 25,000 muskets converted, most if not all in 1866. Dollar value is substantial if unaltered. I would take off the name tag if it could be removed without marring the stock.

 

[BigMik1]

WOW....thanks for that info, we knew it was valuble, but didn't know how old it was. It's a wierd story on how we got this one.

Some Houston Police Officers were chasing a bad guy and he hid in an old man's house. Well, the police found out he stayed there and they took all the weapons in the house including the Model 1866 U.S. Breechloading Rifle.

Well over time the old man never came to collect the rifle, so the police donated the rifle too us.

Thanks for the info!!!

BigMik1