Springfield model 1884
| Springfield Model 1884 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Breech-loading rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1885–1893 (Reserve use afterwards) |
| Used by | United States |
| Wars | American Indian Wars Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Boxer Rebellion (limited) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1884 |
| Manufacturer | Springfield Armory |
| Produced | 1885–1890 |
| No. built | c. 232,500 |
| Variants | Carbine, rod bayonet |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 52 in (1,300 mm) |
| Barrel length | 32.5 in (830 mm) |
| Cartridge | .45-70-405 |
| Action | Trapdoor |
| Rate of fire | User dependent; usually 8 to 10 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,350 feet per second (410 m/s) |
| Feed system | Breech-loading |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The Springfield Model 1884 was one of the rifles which used the trapdoor breechblock design developed by Erskine S. Allin. It was an improved replacement for the previous longarm of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Springfield Model 1873.[1]
Description
The Model 1884 traces its roots back to the design of the Model 1873. The Model 1884 incorporated a significant number of improvements that had been made between 1878 and 1879. It also featured a serrated trigger that had been incorporated in 1883.[2]
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. Buffington of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. This sight however was not perfected until 1885.[2]
The principal feature of this new sight was a rack and pinion style windage adjustment. Unlike previous sights, the base was not used for any position other than point blank. The raised leaf had graduations from 200 to 1,400 yards (180–1,280 m). A new barrel band was also designed to accommodate this new sight so that it could lie flat in the point blank position.[2]
Marksmen generally favored the new sight, but general troops were less enthusiastic about it and often considered it to be an annoyance.[3]
The Model 1884 was also produced in a carbine version. It was found that the rear sight could be easily damaged when removing the weapon from the carbine boot. The rear barrel band was therefore modified in 1890 to include a rear sight protector.[3]
A rod bayonet model was also produced, designated the Springfield Model 1888. This, like the Springfield Model 1880 and Springfield Model 1882, was an attempt to combine the cleaning rod and bayonet into a single unit. The Model 1888 included an improved retaining mechanism, as the Model 1880 and Model 1882 short rifle's retaining mechanisms had proved to be problematic. Approximately 232,500 Model 1884 rifles were manufactured between 1885–1890.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "The .45-70 Springfield, Book II, 1865-1893, Albert Frasca, PhD, Frasca Publishing
- ^ a b c "Uniforms, arms, and equipment: the U.S. Army on the Western Frontier, 1880-1892" By Douglas C. McChristian
- ^ a b "Model 1884 Rifle". The U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Information Center. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Production Trapdoors - Springfield Armory National Historic Site". National Park Service. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links
