researchhelp

Research Help

This page is for researchers looking for assistance with their projects. If you have information that you feel is valuable to one of the authors on this page, please contact the person directly.

Authors, please forward your research requests to A. Frasca at afrasca@erinet.com.

Pete Nelson is researching the history of the Springfield Trapdoor Cadet Rifle with particular interest in which model years and at what point in the their production history were sling swivels provided in addition to the stacking swivel. Normally, until the introduction of the solid one-piece machined trigger guard with its integral lower sling swivel, the Cadet Rifle was assembled using the two-piece trigger guard which utilized a carbine trigger bow without the lug for attaching the lower sling swivel (the trigger bow used on the carbine was usually a rifle bow with the lug milled or ground off). According to the "Production Chart for the Cadet Model 1873 Rifle" (Page 149 in BOOK II), beginning at the start of calendar year 1879 the Model 1873 Cadet Rifles were provided with sling swivels (in addition to the stacking swivel). However, due to machining difficulties encountered in producing the solid one-piece machined trigger guard, it was not available until sometime during calendar year 1890 or even slightly later. This is evidenced by the fact that a number of the Model 1888 Round Rod Bayonet Rifles (including Serial Number 503680, bearing an "SWP/1890" cartouche) were produced with the old-style two-piece trigger guard. So, this means that at least some of the Model 1873 Cadet Rifles produced between late 1878 and the end of 1884 (a total of 4,521 Rifles with Serial Numbers ranging from 112000 through 290000) and Model 1884 Cadet Rifles produced starting in 1887 and through early-to-mid 1890 (when the one-piece trigger guard became available) could possibly have been assembled with two-piece rifle trigger guard assemblies having the lower sling swivel. This represents a quantity of 3,000+ Cadet Rifles with Serial Numbers ranging from 346000 to about 480000. Consequently, a total of some 8,500+ Cadet Rifles of both 1873 and 1884 model years were made probably using the two-piece trigger guard assemblies with the rifle bow having a sling swivel. Pete is asking help from any of our readers having Springfield Trapdoor Cadet Rifles equipped with either the older two-piece or the newer one-piece solid machined trigger guards having sling swivels to contact him, either by U.S. mail, E-Mail, or phone and would appreciate having the following information:
Cadet Rifle Model Year: .
Receiver Serial Number: ___ .
Inspector's Cartouche Initials and Date: " / _".
Breech Block Inscription Date: " U.S "/ " Model " / " ___ ".
Lock Plate Inscription: " date (?)" "U.S/Springfield".
Swivels: Stacking: Yes: _ No: _
Sling: Upper Band: Yes: No:
Trigger Guard Assembly Type: Two-Piece: One-Piece Solid Machined:
Trigger Guard Swivel: Yes: No:
Trigger Guard Sling Swivel Attachment: Screw: ___ Rivet: _

Other Features, Markings, etc.: _ ____

Thanks very much! Peter A. Nelson 3393 Fawnway Drive Murrysville, Pennsylvania 15668-1422 (724) 327-7787 E-Mail: petera_nelson@msn.com

Am seeking information concerning the number and placement of eyelets in early .45 caliber drab Mills belts especially those with coloured edges (red, blue, yellow). Would be glad to hear from anyone with an early Mills belt who would be willing to examine it and describe the number and position of eyelets. Contributors will be acknowledged in the work. Would also love to hear from anyone with a yellow edged example for sale. Dusan Farrington DP@farrington8509.fsnet.co.uk "

I am interested in any information and/or photos of cartridge boxes, reloading tools and kits, tool kits for rifles, carbines and pistols or anything made at Frankford Arsenal in support of the US Military. Contact Jack Lewis Jr.

In connection with my ongoing research I have come upon a group of interesting devices invented by Col. J.C. Kelton, Asst. Adj. Gen., USA, which, according to his own account in a report and Cavalry Journal article were intended to speed up and make safer carbine and revolver firing and relaoding on horseback. He describes specially adapted carbine slings to carry the carbine muzzle up and "locked"into this position, these carbine slings were adapted to carry revolver ammunition in a series of "pistol packs", whilst wooden "detachable magazines" or " packs" of ten cartridges were produced for attachment to the carbine or rifle "under the receiver...The locking device for attaching the magazines to the rifle and the belt is strong, effective, simple and economical ...It is probably not necessary to use more than two screws to fasten the locking-plate to the magazine...". All very fascinating but neither the report nor the article contain illustrations! Thus I have no idea what any of these devices looks like - and would very much like to know, with a view to including them in my work. I do know, from a precis of Annual Reports, that Appendix 1 of the Report of the Chief of Ordnance for FY 1888 reports fabrication of the following : "8 carbine slings "Kelton's Device", 24 metal bound packs "Kelton's", 24 paper bound packs "Kelton's", 200 pistol-pack boxes "Kelton's", but do not know if the Report, or any Springfield Armory documents contain illustrations and any further information pertaining to these interesting devices.
Do you have any knowledge of the devices and could you direct me to a source of illustrations? I shall be most grateful for any help or suggestions you are able to provide and shall, of course, acknowledge the debt in published work. Contact Dusan Farrington at DPFarrington@compuserve.com .

I'm continuing to look for photos of armed individuals (military, civilian, Indian) in the trans-Mississippi west for another book Lou Garavaglia and I are writing on firearms in the American west. I'll pay for reproduction costs and certainly will give photo credit. We're particularly interested in scenes from the 1860s to the l890s involving weapons other than Colt SAAs and M1873 Winchesters--the lesser seen arms such as Peabody, Ballard, British Bulldogs,Merwin & Hulbert, and even S&W and Remington and foreign made guns. Collectors with frontier-associated firearms (even dugups from western sites) that they'd like to see illustrated can contact me with details. We're also gathering photos for a book on Civil War firearms and are seeking images of armed US or CS soldiers and sailors either individuals posed in a studio setting or scenes in the field. We also can use copoies of CW enlistment posters in which specific firearms are offered as incentives. Thanks! Chuck Worman (oldguns@aol.com)

"Bill Chachula is doing a study on trapdoor carbines manufactured in 1877 and 1878. Estimated serial number range is between 74,000 and 105,000. If you have one of these carbines, or one within 1,000 or 2,000 numbers of this range, Bill would appreciate your contacting him at usmilcol@home.com and he will email or send you a survey form. If you want to contact Bill by phone his number is 714-667-7837 evenings or weekends. Bill is located on the west coast in the Pacific Time Zone. Thank you for your help."
Survey of Springfield Model 1877 "Trapdoor" Carbines Serial Number: ______________
Cartouche: No _ Yes _ Date: ___
Front Sight Blade: Steel: _ Brass _
Rear Sight: Model 1873 with 1873 leaf & slide _
Model 1873 base with 1877 leaf & slide __
_ Model 1877 Type 1___ 2_ 3_
Model 1879 Type 1_ 2_ 3_ 4_ 5_6_
Model 1884 _
"P" Proof in Front of the Receiver: Small Letter _
Large Letter _
Letter, front of receiver, barrel center: No _
Yes _ Letter _
Receiver: Narrow _ Wide _
Receiver Gas Ports: Shallow _ Deep _
Breechblock: High Arch _ Low Arch _
Breechblock Marking: With Eagle & Arrows _
W/out Eagle & Arrows _
Lock Plate: With 1873 Date _ W/out 1873 Date _
Butt Plate: Keyhole Cut _ Oval Cut _
Butt Plate Marking: Single U.S. _
Double U.S., 2nd strike above screw hole
Center Cleaning Rod Hole: Shallow, 8 7/16 (8/4) inches _
Deep, 10 7/16 (10.4) inches _
Stock: Short Comb _ Long Comb ___

Please send the completed survey to: Wm Chachula 2423 N Poplar St. Santa Ana, CA 92706 Email to: usmilcol@home.com
References: "The .45-70 Springfield", Frasca & Hill "TrapCollectors Only, The .45-70 Springfield", Poyer & Riesch door Springfield", H.D. Waite & B.D. Ernst "For

Dusan Farrington is writing a new book on the arms and accoutrements of the U.S. Cavalry - 1866-1902. He needs help procuring the following items: (1) First Model Winchester Hotchkiss US Martial Carbine. NRA very good or better condition preferred. Must have correct martial inspection markings and clear cartouche. (2) a M1872 Cavalry Officers Sabre made at Springfield, for comparison with other uniform supply house examples used in a study of officer arms and equipment, (3) a Krag M1899 carbine in NRA V.G. or better with correct sight/handguard and clear cartouche,(4) and because it is very difficult to find the guns, photographs of a M1892 Colt .38 D.A. and M1894 (both separately and together for comparison) and (5) finally any photographs of cavalry - particularly showing arms and accoutrements 1866- 1902. In the last two cases I would naturally pay all expenses incident in photographing, processing, reproducing and postage, proper credit will also be given anyone kind enough to undertake such work in the finished book. Contact: DPFarrington@compuserve.com

William K. Emerson is researching the history of US Army shooting awards. He is seeking photographs of rifles awarded by the Army between 1880 and 1902. This material is needed for a new book on the Army Shooting Program. If you have any related information, please contact Mr. Emerson at: William K. Emerson, 124 Kensington Drive, Madison, Alabama, 35758.

Joseph Volpendesta is researching the history of Milan and Freeman Bull in order to publish an article about the marksmen. If you have any related materials, please contact Joe at 347-249-5362. Address: 3405 Eva Ave., Park City, IL 60085

Navy & Marine Trapdoor Photographs. John McAulay is looking for photographs between 1870 and 1900 of U.S. Navy or U.S. Marines armed with trapdoor Springfield rifles. If anyone has photographs or knows of photographs that John can use, please contact him at: 6528 Riverridge Court, Post Office Box 1452 Caseville, MI 48725

Dick Hosmer has been maintaining a trapdoor carbine registry. He wants data on carbines with serial numbers less than 50,000. He has recorded over 600 carbines and is always looking for more. Contact him through the collector listing in this web site. (SA4570s@aol.com) When submitting serial numbers, please give all the digits. Don't submit carbines with several numbers missing several last digits such as 237xx.

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