U.S. Model 1866 Second Allin Trapdoor Rifle (AL7284)

This 50 Government (50-70) caliber U.S. Model 1866 Second Allin rifle is in fine condition. The 37" sleeved to 50 caliber barrel has an excellent bore with bright, strong rifling. It has a blade front sight which also serves as the bayonet stud and a replacement Model 1858 rear sight. The barrel and furniture, which appear to have an old cleaning, are bright. The breechblock has its correct blue-black casehardened color. It is marked 1866 over an eagle. The reused Civil War lock is dated 1865. It has the eagle at the center and U.S. over SPRINGFIELD at the front. The lock and hammer show traces of their original case colors. The stock is fine with no cracks or chips and a strong HSH cartouche on the left flat. It has light issue and storage dents and dings. The swivels and a cleaning rod are present. It is also is equipped with a Civil War type single hook sling that is marked U.S. We are not certain about the age of this sling. The action functions correctly. The Model 1866s were the first trapdoor rifles to see combat action, notably in the Hayfield and Wagon Box fights. The Hayfield fight took place on 1 August 1867 near Fort C.F. Smith, MT, and the Wagon Box fight took place the next day near Fort Phil Kearny, WY. They were the last major engagements in Red Cloud's War. In both cases, small numbers of troopers faceng superior numbers of attacking Indians were able to hold them off for hours with their new breech loading trapdoor rifles. The Model 1866 is a must for any Indian Wars or trapcoor rifle collection. Priced reasonably because of the old cleaning and replacement sight, this rifle will fill that void in your collection.