Springfield Model 1869

The Springfield Model 1869 is a cadet rifle version of the Springfield Model 1868 trapdoor
breechblock service rifle. Made by the Springfield Armory, it featured a shortened barrel in place of the Model 1868’s length.

History and design

Originally, the trapdoor Springfields were created to convert Model 1863 Springfield rifled muskets to breech-loaders at a relatively low cost.
The Model 1869 Cadet Rifle was a shortened version of the Springfield Model 1868. It had a barrel, compared to the barrel of the Model 1868, and had an overall length of. The Model 1869 was produced using Model 1868 Erskine S. Allin-designed receivers and breech blocks, but used a stock that was manufactured specifically for the Model 1869. The Model 1869 had a narrower buttplate and the stock around the barrel was thinner than on the Model 1868.
This model has its own sequence of serial numbers, running from 1 to approx. 3422 and they were manufactured exclusively for West Point cadets.