Springfield Model 1865

The Springfield Model 1865 is the first in a series of breech-loading rifle designs known as "trapdoor" Springfields, distinguished by enabling loading of a powerful military cartridge at the breech, thus markedly increasing the rate of fire. The prototype design concept, by Erskine S. Allin of the government-operated Springfield Armory, allowed conversion of the muzzle-loading United States civil war rifled musket to a breech-loader, at low cost. The breech mechanism employs a hinged breechblock that rotates up and forward, resembling the movement of a trapdoor, to open the breech of the rifle and permit insertion of a cartridge. The Model 1865 is known as the "First Allin".

Five thousand civil war Model 1861 rifled muskets were converted by Springfield Armory for evaluation of the design. They were chambered for a rimfire .58-60-500 cartridge (.58 inch convert|500|gr|sing=on bullet, convert|60|gr of black powder), the caliber matching that of the civil war minie ball, which was originally used in these rifles.

Problems with this prototype design quickly led to development of the Springfield Model 1866 ("Second Allin") within a short time.

ee also

* Springfield rifle