Pedersoli 1873 Springfield Trapdoor

About the Pedersoli 1873 Springfield Trapdoor

The Pedersoli 1873 Springfield Trapdoor is a modern reproduction single-shot breech-loading rifle built by the Italian maker Davide Pedersoli, faithfully recreating the U.S. Army's Model 1873 'Trapdoor' Springfield. Chambered in .45-70 Government, it uses the distinctive hinged breechblock that flips up and forward like a trapdoor to load a single centerfire cartridge, cocked and fired by an external side-mounted hammer. With its long 32-inch barrel, full-length walnut stock, and military-pattern sights, the reproduction is favored by black-powder cartridge shooters, cowboy-action competitors, and collectors of American frontier firearms.

The original Model 1873 'Trapdoor' Springfield was the first standard-issue breech-loading rifle of the U.S. Army, its hinged breechblock adapted by Erskine Allin from surplus muzzle-loading muskets. It armed the frontier cavalry and infantry through the Indian Wars, most famously at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Davide Pedersoli's faithful reproductions returned the trapdoor action to modern black-powder cartridge shooters.

Pedersoli 1873 Springfield Trapdoor specifications

Reproduction of the U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1873. Offered in infantry rifle, cavalry carbine (22-inch barrel), and Officer's Model configurations. Standard infantry rifle weighs about 8.8 lb with a 32 5/8-inch barrel and 1-in-22-inch twist; Pedersoli catalog model S.905.