Springfield Model 1888
| Springfield Model 1888 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Breech-loading rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1889–1893 (Reserve use afterwards) |
| Used by | United States |
| Wars | American Indian Wars Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Boxer Rebellion (limited) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1888 |
| Manufacturer | Springfield Armory |
| Produced | 1889–1893 |
| No. built | c. 65,000 |
| 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 1888 was one of several models of rifles produced by Springfield Armory for the United States military in the late 19th century. It was the final design in a long line of rifles which used the trapdoor breechblock design developed by Erskine S. Allin in the 1860s and the last single-shot rifle to see American military service.[1]
Despite the replacement of the trapdoor rifles by the adoption of newer repeating rifles, they were manufactured until 1893 and saw combat during the Spanish–American War, a war that was dominated by the newer Springfield Model 1892 Krag–Jørgensen bolt action rifle. The Model 1888, despite its aged technology, was built in large numbers and was also the most advanced and efficient of all the Springfield trapdoor rifles, and for this reason remains popular among military enthusiasts.[2]
History and design
The trapdoor Springfields had originally been produced with reworked bayonets left over from the U.S. Civil War. When supplies of these bayonets ran low, Springfield Armory attempted to create a new design, as these bayonets were considered to be obsolete.[3]
For the Springfield Model 1880 and Springfield Model 1882, Springfield Armory had attempted to combine the bayonet and cleaning rod into a single unit. These models had not been successful, due to problems with the bayonet/cleaning rod retaining mechanism and poor ballistic performance of the weapons due to the heavy forward mounting mechanism.[3]
The Model 1888 was Springfield Armory's last attempt at producing a combined cleaning rod and bayonet design. The Model 1888 was based on the Springfield Model 1873 line of rifles, which had undergone several refinements which had been incorporated into the Springfield Model 1884. Unlike the earlier Model 1880 and Model 1882, the Model 1888 used a round rod bayonet design.[3]
The Model 1888 proved to be much more successful than the Model 1880 and Model 1882. Between 1889 and 1893, over 65,000 Model 1888 rifles were produced.[4]
During the Spanish–American War, Regular Army troops were generally issued the new Krag rifles, while guard units were often issued older trapdoor Springfields, typically Model 1884 or Model 1888 rifles. Ultimately, the Model 1888 would be completely replaced by the newer and more efficient Krag design until 1903, when the Krag itself was replaced with the more efficient Springfield Model 1903. Although the Model 1888 proved to be the most developed and efficient of the Springfield trapdoor rifles, it was simply no match for the advanced technology then available and in use around the world. The Springfield trapdoor rifles never saw military service again.[5]
See also
References
- ^ "The .45-70 Springfield, Book II, 1865-1893, Albert Frasca, PhD, Frasca Publishing
- ^ "Model 1888 Round Rod Bayonet Rifles". The U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Information Center. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c "Uniforms, arms, and equipment: the U.S. Army on the Western Frontier, 1880–1892" By Douglas C. McChristia
- ^ "Production Trapdoors - Springfield Armory National Historic Site". National Park Service. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Field, Ron (2004). Buffalo Soldiers, 1866–91. Richard Hook (illustrator). Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1841767565.
External links
