Springfield Armory NHS, US NPS

Case 21

Around the time of the Civil War many private gun makers were experimenting with breech-loading rifles. Some continued to use paper cartridges; others used metallic. The secret was to build a breech mechanism that could withstand and contain the explosion of the gun powder. For the safety of the soldier, and to get the most efficiency out of the cartridge, the breech had to be sealed tightly to prevent the escape of gases, yet the weapon had to be capable of being reloaded quickly and not jamming. After the War, Springfield undertook production of some of these weapons in addition to their Trapdoor models.

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Springfield Armory NHS, US NPS

Joslyn Rifle            SPAR2504   .56 caliber, 1865, 3307 made. Produced at Springfield Armory with actions supplied by the Joslyn Co., this was the first breech-loader made at the Armory.

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Springfield Armory NHS, US NPS

M1870-1871 Rolling Block Rifle      SPAR1132   .50 caliber, 1870-1872, 33,336 made. Remington's 'Rolling Block' actions were manufactured under royalty at Springfield Armory which manufactured versions for the Army and Navy along with carbines and experimental pieces.

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courtesy: private collection

This was Springfield Armory's first bolt-action rifle.

M1871 Ward-Burton Rifle               SPAR1613  .50 caliber, 1871, 1327 made. This weapon was the result of an effort to develop a bolt-action military rifle.

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Springfield Armory NHS, US NPS

Lee Rifle                    SPAR4103   .45 caliber, 1875, 143 made. Essentially an experimental rifle, this weapon was developed by James P. Lee.

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