Springfield model 1884

The Springfield model 1884 was one of the "Trapdoor Springfield" rifles. It was an improved replacement for the previous longarm of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Springfield model 1873 and its variants.

Springfield model 1884
Springfield model 1884
Type	Breech-loading rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1884–1903
Used by	United States Army
Wars	Indian Wars Spanish–American War Philippine–American War
Production history
Designed	1884
Manufacturer	Springfield Armory
Specifications
Length	51.875 in (1,317.6 mm)
Barrel length	32.625 in (828.7 mm)
Cartridge	.45-70-500
Action	Hinged breechblock
Rate of fire	Approx. 10 rounds a minute
Muzzle velocity	1,315 feet per second (401 m/s)

Description

The model 1884 traces its roots back to the design of the Springfield 1873. The model 1884 incorporated a significant number of improvements that had been made between 1878 and 1879. It also featured a serrated trigger that had been incorporated into the Springfield rifle design in 1883.

The Buffington rear sight raised on a model 1884

Model 1884 lock work

The most dramatic change to the rifle design, which is often considered to be the identifying feature of the model 1884, was a new rear sight which had been designed by Lieutenant Colonel Adelbert R. Buffington of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. This sight however was not perfected until 1885.

The principal feature of this new sight was a rack and pinion style windage adjustment. Unlike previous sights, the base was not used for any position other than point blank. The raised leaf had graduations from 200 to 1,400 yd (180 to 1,280 m). A new barrel band was also designed to accommodate this new sight so that it could lie flat in the point blank position.

Marksmen generally favored the new sight, but general troops were less enthusiastic about it and often considered it to be an annoyance.

The model 1884 was also produced in a carbine version. It was found that the rear sight could be easily damaged when removing the rifle from the carbine boot. The rear barrel band was therefore modified in 1890 to include a rear sight protector.

A round-rod bayonet model was also produced, designated the Model 1888. This, like the Springfield model 1880, was an attempt to combine the cleaning rod and bayonet into a single unit. The Model 1888 included an improved retaining mechanism, as the Model 1880's retaining mechanism had proved to be problematic.

See also

• Springfield rifle