Militarily, it represents the watershed transition for U.S. It also played a role in the wars against the Native Americans. The Springfield Trapdoor would kill buffalo by the thousands as America expanded westward. The rifle would take its place in history just after the Civil War-despite the justifiable hesitation of many military personnel who were all too aware of the superiority of repeaters and magazine fed rifles. Produced for over 20 years, the Springfield Trapdoor experienced many changes throughout its life. In terms of American military long arms, very little attention is given to a predecessor of the much-heralded M1903 and M1 Garand, the Springfield Trapdoor.
