On June 25th and 26th, 1876, the face of the American West and military history forever changed. The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand, was a turning point battle in which Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his 7th Cavalry clashed with the combined force of Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. This fight has been studied for reasons countless, but one which has left historians guessing in the past is the Springfield Trapdoor Rifle, and its importance in determining the fate of this dubious battle.
The Springfield Trapdoor Rifle, as recorded by history, was more than just a gun—it was a symbol of the military and cultural battles of the day. With the U.S. General Issue of the Army during the Indian Wars, it served as an expansion tool and a silent observer to the mournful loss of a life style for the Native American nations. The Battle of Little Bighorn is a poignancy symbol for this time, for the Sioux and Cheyenne were not merely battling over a piece of ground, but for their very existence against the tide of American Manifest Destiny.
The rifle had a bad reputation for failing to fire properly, copper cartridges expanding uncomfortably as they cooled from firing. The flaw would render the rifle useless in battle, where soldiers had to force cartridges out so they could reload and shoot again. The flaw would be catastrophic in battle, where rapid and reliable firing was essential.
Though the rifle’s firepower was awesome, with the rifle shooting a 405-grain bullet at a velocity of 1,350 feet per second, the single-shot mechanism of the rifle was severely outmatched by the repeating rifles being used by the Native American warriors during the course of the battle. Disparity in firepower was massive, as the Springfield could deliver some 12 to 15 rounds per minute rate of fire against the tribes’ Winchester lever-action higher rate-of-fire rifles.
Historical evidence shows that the Battle of Little Bighorn was a crushing defeat for the United States forces, with Custer and his troops outgunned and outnumbered. It was a battle which had been sidetracked by misestimation and hubris on the part of Custer and marked by the superior firepower and numbers of the Native American forces.
The outcome of the battle had the Springfield Trapdoor questioned as to its function and role in the defeat. Even though the rifle itself was to be blamed, the issue of the susceptibility of the copper cartridges was the largest contributor. 7th Cavalry Trooper William C. Slaper testified to the issue that had been encountered during the battle when he described clearing out jams and distributing loaded rifles to his fellow troopers on the firing line.
Although it is famous, the Springfield Trapdoor Rifle is a prized relic of military history and cherished collector’s piece. Its exhibition in historical museums and sale at auction as a standing reminder of its enduring reputation as an Old West legend. The Springfield Trapdoor Rifle, as much as it was overshadowed by more recently produced firearms, remains an object of interest to historians and collectors throughout the years.
