
The Model 1888 included an improved retaining mechanism, as the Model 1880's retaining mechanism had proved to be problematic. This, like the Springfield model 1880, was an attempt to combine the cleaning rod and bayonet into a single unit. It has a 32 5/8 inch barrel with 2 bands. Hi AllI have a new to me rifle added to my collection today a 1873 Springfield Trapdoor s/n 198401, I'm trying to get info on it especially ammo. The rear barrel band was therefore modified in 1890 to include a rear sight protector.Ī round-rod bayonet model was also produced, designated the Model 1888. Thanks for using Just Answer The model 1873 Trapdoor was manufactured between 18 - making it an antique. Buffington) although this sight would not be perfected until 1885. Dating back to 1873, the 4570-405 and the later 4570-500 was the contemporary of such high-profile guns as the Russian Berdan II (3 million built), German 1871 Mauser (almost 2 million built), British Martini-Henry and Snider-Enfield (nearly a million and 870 thousand respectively), Italian Vetterli (1.5. But the most significant difference between the Model 1873 and Model 1884 were the sights, with the Model 1884 being equipped with a brand new 'Bennington' rear sight (designed by Lieutenant Colonel R.A. It was found that the rear sight could be easily damaged when removing the rifle from the carbine boot. Among these improvements a new serrated trigger was introduced. The model 1884 was also produced in a carbine version. Marksmen generally favored the new sight, but general troops were less enthusiastic about it and often considered it to be an annoyance. A new barrel band was also designed to accommodate this new sight so that it could lie flat in the point blank position. The raised leaf had graduations from 200 to 1400 yards. Unlike previous sights, the base was not used for any position other than point blank. The principal feature of this new sight was a rack and pinion style windage adjustment. This sight however was not perfected until 1885. The most dramatic change to the rifle design, which is often considered to be the identifying feature of the model 1884, was a new rear sight which had been designed by Lieutenant Colonel Adelbert R.
