Springfield Model 1877
title: "Springfield Model 1877" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["springfield-firearms", "hinged-breechblock-rifles", "rifles-of-the-united-states"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Model_1877" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox Weapon"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Springfield Model 1877 |
| origin | United States |
| type | Breech-loading carbine |
| is_ranged | yes |
| used_by | United States |
| designer | Erskine S. Allin |
| design_date | 1877 |
| manufacturer | Springfield Armory |
| part_length | 22 in |
| cartridge | .45-70-405 |
| action | Trapdoor |
| rate | User dependent; usually 8 to 10 rounds per minute |
| velocity | 1350 ft/s |
| feed | Breech-loading |
| sights | Open sights |
| :: |
| name = Springfield Model 1877 | image = | caption = | origin = United States | type = Breech-loading carbine | is_ranged = yes | is_bladed = | is_explosive = | is_artillery = | is_vehicle = | is_missile = | is_UK = | service = | used_by = United States | wars = | designer = Erskine S. Allin | design_date = 1877 | manufacturer = Springfield Armory | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = | variants = | spec_label = | weight = | length = | part_length = 22 in | width = | height = | diameter = | crew = | cartridge = .45-70-405 | caliber = | barrels = | action = Trapdoor | rate = User dependent; usually 8 to 10 rounds per minute | velocity = 1350 ft/s | range = | max_range = | feed = Breech-loading | sights = Open sights
The Springfield Model 1877 was a trapdoor breechblock service rifle produced in two versions by the Springfield Armory for the United States military. The standard issue rifle is historically regarded as a variant of the Springfield Model 1873 carbine, while the shorter-barreled Model 1873 carbine has been considered to be a separate model.
Description
The most visible change in the Model 1877 standard rifle was to extend the buttstock comb further forward on a thickened wrist to strengthen the wrist's weak spot.
Prior to 1877, the Erskine S, Allin-designed trapdoor breechblock had a high arch machined out of it, making it lighter. The Model 1877 no longer had the arch machined out of it, though the reason for this modification is not clear.
After the Battle of Little Bighorn, the Springfield Armory was assigned the task of providing a cleaning rod for the carbine version that could also be used to remove stuck cartridges. A three piece steel rod was designed that fit into the butt. This required a new butt plate specifically for the carbine, as the longer rifle already included a cleaning rod and did not need these modifications.
The rear sight was also modified. The rifle version of the new sight was stamped with an R, and the carbine version was stamped with a C. The different sights were necessary because the carbine used a 55-grain cartridge instead of the rifle's 70-grain cartridge.
References
References
- "The U.S. Army in the West, 1870–1880: Uniforms, Weapons, And Equipment" By Douglas C. McChristian, John P. Langellier
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::