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Scarce U.S. Springfield First Model Allin Conversion Breechloading Rifle-Musket

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Scarce U.S. Springfield First Model Allin Conversion Breechloading Rifle-Musket
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Scarce U.S. Springfield First Model Allin Conversion Breechloading Rifle-Musket

Developed by Erskine Allin, Springfield Master Armorer, the Allin Conversion was designed to take advantage of the sizeable quantity of Model 1863s that were stockpiled following the Civil War. The overall design and philosophy of the conversion (remove a section of the breech, mill a chamber into the barrel, install a hinged breechblock) remained consistent through all produced versions of Allin's system, but the First Model has some special features, such as the retention of a 58 caliber bore, a more sweeping profile to the top of the breechblock, and a spring loaded extractor/ejector assembly; opening the breech extends a cam-driven extractor, while retracting an ejector pin mounted in the bottom of the cutout, and when the breech is fully opened the extractor snaps back and the pin strikes the extracted cartridge, ejecting it from the weapon. Though an elegant and mechanically ingenious solution for rapidly clearing spent cartridges, the ejector/extractor was eliminated from later models in favor of less intricate extraction system. Blade front and proper 2-leaf rear sights, with the partial date "864" marked ahead of the tang and "P/eagle head" on the upper left flat of the barrel. The lock plate is marked "1865" behind the hammer, with the American eagle and "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" ahead, with the checkered breech lever resting in the bolster cutout. Smooth straight wrist stock, with three "U" marked barrel bands, tulip-head ramrod, "ESA" inspection cartouche on the left side flat, steel trigger guard and smooth "US" buttplate with "43/G/12/53" stamped on the heel, possibly a unit marking.

Manufucture: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1866 ALLIN CONVERSION
BBL: 37 1/2 inch round
Stock: walnut
Guage: 58
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN

Fine, with 40% of the original blue finish on the breech, mixed with a light gray patina and areas of bright steel. Some scattered spotting and handling marks overall. The stock is fine, with mild chipping around the ramrod channel and upper edges of the forearm, a thin crack extending from the front lock plate screw, and mild scuffs and dents overall. Mechanically very good, with the lock and ejector mechanism in working order. A scarce and important example of America's transition from percussion arms to cartridge breechloaders, the link between the Rifle-Musket of the Civil War and the Trapdoor Rifle of the Westward Expansion. This example appears to be totally untouched, "attic finish"!