The 1873 Springfield Trapdoor was the US military's first widely adopted metallic cartridge breech-loader, serving from 1873 to 1892. It fired the .45-70 Government cartridge, initially with a 405-grain bullet and 70 grains of black powder. Collectors must use 'Trapdoor Safe' ammunition, as modern high-pressure loads can damage these antique firearms. The rifle's design features a hinged breech block and an effective ejection mechanism, though early versions faced issues with copper casings.
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