1866 Springfield trapdoor

[RWMC]

Did the 1866 Springfield trapdoor have a serial number? Mine has a small number "5" in the same location where that the .45-70 trapdoors have their serial number. Thank you for any 1866 Springfield owners out there who will take the time to check out their rifle and let me know.

 

[tark]

Before 1868 national armory weapons were not given serial#s.....I think. I remember reading that some where.

Just found it by googling. No 1866s were numbered. Must be an assembly #

 

[Curator]

The 1866 Springfield "trapdoor" rifles were made from converted muzzle loading muskets. The muskets had no serial numbers and none was thought necessary at the time. There were assembly numbers added to keep parts that had been hand fitted together after being removed for final finishing. The 1868 purpose-built .50-70 rifle had serial numbers on the front/left-side of the action and on the barrel.