"The .45-70 Springfield, 4th Edition" Book by Joe Poyer and Craig Riesch
"Virtually a mini-enclyclopedia...this reference is a must." -- Phil Spangenberger, Guns & Ammo
This new edition features more information about the 45-70 Springfield. North Cape Publications has created a unique chart that includes a "part-by-part analysis of the 45-70 rifles and carbines. Dimensions and finishes are listed for each part in text and tables. Photographs also show each part with ay differences notes. A must have book for any 45-70 collector. Published in 1999. 274 pages - Softcover.
Reporter, expert commentator, author. Joe Poyer has experience in all three. Once the voice for a History Channel series and Military Affairs Analyst for a Los Angeles TV station, Poyer is best known for writing and co-writing several books on modern military firearms. The most popular are the "Shooter’s and Collector’s Guide" series. MidwayUSA is pleased to offer some of those books to our customers. Check back for more titles as more and more are published.
Technical Information
Publisher: North Cape Publications Date of Publication: April 1, 1999 Number of Pages: 274
Summary of Material (from the publisher):
Book Description
This 3rd revised and expanded edition provides a part-by-part review of all models of the
Springfield .45-70 Trapdoor rifle, carbine and cadet rifle. Every part from butt plate to front
sight of every model is discussed in terms of dimensions, use, markings, finish and changes to
that part by serial number range. A revised and corrected serial number list is included with serial
number ranges listed by production years. This book makes it possible for the collector to
determine whether or not a particular rifle, carbine or cadet rifle is original as manufactured.
The collector must keep in mind that not only was the .45-70 Springfield Trapdoor used by the
Army, but also by the Navy, Marines, National Guard and various state militias from 1873 to
well into the 20th Century. The trapdoor was still being issued as late as World War I to militia
units for guard duty. During this more than forty-year period of service, the trapdoor went
through several model changes and even more frequent parts upgrades. So a rifle manufactured
in 1879 may have undergone as many as twenty parts changes by 1889, all of which are
considered valid, original manufacturing changes. The problem the collector, museum director,
gunsmith, author and shooter faces is determining which changes were made officially by the
Ordnance Department while in service and which were made by surplus dealers, resellers and
previous non-military owners.
"The .45-70 Springfield" provides answers to all these questions and more. With this book in
hand, it is possible to assess every part and using the serial number stamped on the receiver,
determine first in what year the arm was manufactured, then on a part-by-part basis, decide
whether or not each part is the correct and original part for that arm. If some parts are found to
have been manufactured later, then the book will tell you whether or not those parts were
installed by military armorers according to regulation.
Why is this important? First, the .45-70 Springfield is a tangible piece of the history of our
nation. And as such, it deserves to be correct. Secondly, the .45-70 Springfield's value depends
in large part on how original it is. Parts that are incorrect can be replaced, returning the arm to
both its historical and economic value.
The book also provides a historical overview of the .45-70's development and use during the
latter part of the 19th Century and into the 20th. Also included are assembly/disassembly
instructions, cleaning and maintenance, glossary and bibliography.
