The 50-70 Trapdoor Springfield Rifle and the 50-70 Sharps Cavalry Carbine
M1870 trapdoor Springfield and Sharps Carbine
All images courtesy of the author
From 1866 to 1873 the standard army rifle was the 50-70 trapdoor Springfield, and the standard cavalry carbine was the 50-70 Sharps. Both of these were cartridge conversions of percussion cap guns used in the War for Southern Independence.
These were the guns that forced the Indian tribes onto the reservations, and these were the main guns that destroyed the Indians’ larder, the buffalo herds, to keep them there. After they had done their job, the West was won and open for settlement.
Why then did they not get credit as the guns that won the West? The answer is simple. The army had committed so many atrocities in the occupied South and in the West, where they often sided with the rich interests against the settler and common man, as in the Johnson County War in New Mexico, that they were despised by the average man.
The outrages grew so extreme that it led to the passing of the Posse Comitatus Act prohibiting the army from taking part in law enforcement. The public was in no mood to honor them directly or indirectly by honoring their tools. Therefore, only civilian guns would be glorified.
The breechloading rifle was decisive in defeating the Indians as was clearly shown to both sides in two of the first engagements, the Hayfield Fight and the Wagon Box Fight, where extremely small bands of men armed with the new M1866 50-70 Trapdoor Springfields withstood several hours of attacks by hundreds of Indians unaccustomed to dealing with rapid-fire breechloading rifles.
In the Hayfield Fight on August 1, 1867, a group of 21 soldiers and nine civilians were gathering hay near Fort C.E. Smith in Montana when they were attacked. They retreated to a fortified corral, where the Indians’ repeated attacks failed.
The next day, outside of Fort Phil Kearney in Wyoming, a force of 26 soldiers and six civilians were attacked by the Sioux at what became famous as he Wagon Box Fight for they forted up at their wagons and successfully held off the Indians.
M1870 trapdoor Springfield cocked with 50-70 roundSharps with a 50-70 cartridgeA close-up of the two 50-70 rifles with vital necessities
Both the 50-70 trapdoor Springfield and the 50-70 Sharps cavalry carbine were ideally suited to plains warfare. They were both famous for their long-range accuracy which far outdistanced the Henry Repeater and the M1866 Winchester and later the M1873 Winchester.
They both easily delivered 10 carefully aimed shots a minute, which is about all the average man can do with any rifle. Some folks touted the repeating rifle’s firepower at close quarters, but the cavalry and most civilians carried pistols and many could shoot those pistols alongside the pistol caliber long guns at all ranges, so they were not overly impressed with the new repeaters.
The army rifles were issued with bayonets which the Indian cavalry could not handle, as they could not ride over “The sharp ends of rifles” as the army held standard close ranks formations against cavalry. While the bayonets were keeping the Indians at bay, the new breechloaders were keeping up a withering fire and decimating the Indian ranks.
When the British adopted the 577-450 round, the U.S. Army adopted a 45 caliber also. This was really a ploy to get back into making complete guns again. This resulted in thousands of surplus 50-70 rifles and carbines, which were eagerly snapped up by buffalo hunters and settlers. These became the main guns used in destroying the buffalo herds.
Old Buffalo hunters treasured their 50-70s. Wild Bill Hickok used to walk down the center of the street carrying his M1870 trapdoor Springfield so he could see better around the corners of buildings where there might be someone laying in ambush for him. Hickok loved that rifle so much that he requested to be buried with it.
Buffalo Bill’s favorite rifle was a M1866 50-70 trapdoor Springfield that he named Lucretia Borgia. Equally famous as an exhibition shooter, he stated on his deathbed in 1917 that this was his favorite rifle and that none of the newer rifles could shoot alongside it. I think that about says it all.
A left side view of the Sharps carbine—long ago someone took off the noisy saddle ring
Alongside surplus M14 rifles, the Civilian Marksmanship Program says it expects to receive Winchester Model 1897 Trench Guns—one of the most iconic and sought-after U.S. military shotguns ever issued.
Alongside surplus M14 rifles, the Civilian Marksmanship Program says it expects to receive Winchester Model 1897 Trench Guns to sell to American citizens. (Courtesy of Rock Island Auction Service)
During recent discussions regarding the upcoming M14 sales program, O’Keefe indicated the CMP also expects to receive an unknown quantity of Winchester Model 1897 Trench Guns. While few details have been released, the mere mention of original military 12-gauge pump-action trench guns immediately sent collectors into a frenzy.
Unlike the M14 program, where quantities are reportedly measured in the tens of thousands, few observers expect large numbers of trench guns to become available. If they do arrive, these shotguns could represent one of the most desirable military surplus offerings the CMP has ever handled.
The military Trench Gun was built on Winchester’s popular 1897 sporting shotgun which was designed by John Browning. (Photo by David Fortier)
A True American Military Classic
The Winchester Model 1897 needs little introduction among military firearms enthusiasts. Designed by John Moses Browning and introduced in 1897, the exposed-hammer pump shotgun became one of the most successful repeating shotguns ever produced. More than one million were manufactured between 1897 and 1957, serving hunters, law enforcement officers, and soldiers around the world.
The military “Trench Gun” variant became legendary during World War I. Equipped with a 20-inch barrel, ventilated steel heat shield, bayonet adapter, and sling swivels, it provided American troops with devastating close-range firepower in the trenches of France. The shotgun remained in military service through World War II, Korea, and even Vietnam. Its reputation was built not only on reliability but also on speed.
Because the Model 1897 lacked a trigger disconnector, soldiers could hold the trigger to the rear and fire each time the action closed while pumping the shotgun. This capability, commonly called “slam-firing,” contributed significantly to the shotgun’s fearsome combat reputation.
Now, to be fair the practical usefulness of slam-firing can be debated. However, if we set the hype aside, the Winchester 1897 does have a lot going for it. I have been a “97” fan for many years and own multiple examples.
The things I like about the design are its slim size, due to its compact action. The loading port on the bottom of the receiver is huge, making it easy to stuff shells in. The action is smooth and fast.
Manufacturing quality is very good. The guns handle, shoulder and point well. Are they perfect? No, they are a bit complex and the design dates from the 19th Century. However, they were designed by John Browning and remain hugely popular all these years later.
Right Side view of a Model 12 Trench Gun (Top). The Winchester Model 97 (bottom) was the iconic World War I Trench Gun and also saw action during World War II and after. (Courtesy of Rock Island Auction Service)
Why Collectors Are Excited
Original Winchester 1897 Trench Guns have long occupied the upper tier of U.S. military firearms collecting. The problem is authenticity. For decades, collectors have had to navigate a market filled with rebuilt guns, modified riot guns, reproduction heat shields, replacement bayonet adapters, and outright fakes. Finding a documented and original military trench gun can be difficult, and prices have reflected that reality.
That is why CMP involvement is generating so much interest. The organization has built a reputation for selling genuine U.S. military firearms directly from government inventories. If original trench guns enter the CMP pipeline, buyers may have access to documented military examples with a level of provenance rarely available on the commercial market.
The Big Questions Remain
At the moment, there are more questions than answers. The CMP has not announced:
How many trench guns it expects to receive
Their condition
Whether they remain in original military configuration
Grading standards
Purchase limits
Pricing
A sales timeline
Quantity may ultimately be the most important factor. While approximately 100,000 M14 rifles have been discussed publicly, few collectors believe the number of available Winchester 1897 Trench Guns will be very large. If only a limited quantity arrives, demand could be intense.
See Photo Gallery
The Winchester Model 1897 Trench Gun was a welcome addition to Doughboys fighting in the trenches “Over There” due to its compact size, fast action and terminal performance. (Public Domain)
What Will They Cost?
Nobody knows! That uncertainty has not stopped speculation. Unlike the M14, where CMP leadership has already indicated a price below $2,000, no pricing guidance has been released regarding trench guns.
Authentic military Winchester 1897 Trench Guns have become increasingly valuable over the past several decades, particularly examples retaining original finish, correct military markings, and original trench gun features. Depending on condition and originality, collector values can reach levels that place them well beyond the reach of casual buyers. Even nicely done reproductions can be quite expensive.
Whether CMP pricing follows current collector-market trends remains to be seen. Much will depend on condition, originality, and the number of shotguns ultimately transferred.
A Development Worth Watching
For now, the Winchester 1897 Trench Gun remains the surprise story hidden behind the larger M14 announcement. The M14 program will undoubtedly attract enormous attention due to the reported quantity of rifles available. The trench guns, however, appeal to a different type of collector—one interested in the iconic firearms carried by American soldiers through some of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century.
See Photo Gallery
The Winchester 1897 Trench Guns remained in service after World War I and five of them are seen here in the hands of U.S. Marines guarding a U.S. Mail airplane in the 1920s. (Photo Courtesy Chicago History Museum)
If the CMP does receive a meaningful number of Winchester 1897 Trench Guns, it could create one of the most significant opportunities in recent memory for collectors to acquire an authentic U.S. military combat shotgun.
Until more information is released, enthusiasts will simply have to wait. But if history is any guide, the words “Winchester 1897 Trench Gun” and “CMP” appearing in the same sentence are enough to ensure collectors across the country will be paying very close attention.
So let me get this straight okay? Its raining and instead of getting drunk at the 19th Hole Bar. These guys are out in the rain with a stuck golf cart. Where God gave one of them a “Are you really that stupid award”? Comments anyone?
