This survey of period newspaper articles reflects the changing role of the Springfield Model 1881 trapdoor shotgun, from a military arm, through surplus use, and evolving into a collector’s item. From providing utilitarian value as a hunting tool to providing intrinsic value as a collector’s item.
Alvey (Alva) Martz was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at the Marne. Here’s a 1918 article interviewing his parents. His father carries a Springfield shotgun into the room.
General Ord had a front-row seat to many historical events and people of 19th Century America: Roommates with William T. Sherman at West Point, artillery officer in the 2nd Seminole War, Civil War hero, investigator of the Lincoln assassination, hunted buffalo with Custer, and a possible illegitimate descendent of King George VI.
The Springfield Republican, hometown paper to Springfield Armory, published an editorial criticizing the Evening Post’s missive. It’s titled “Arms for Infantry”. I find it makes a pretty compelling argument.
Reprinted here is an editorial from The Evening Post on September 22, 1870, in which they criticize the government’s lack of progress on selecting a new breechloading design for the military. Enjoy!
Hey cool, thanks for the comment, Mike! Congrats on finding one. I would also assume no patch box in the…
This was a great source of information. I obtained a Navy Sharps in the 44k range, with both EF and…