I was recently fortunate enough to obtain a very nice Model 1870 Springfield Arsenal Rolling Block Trials Rifle. These surviving trials rifles are exceedingly rare as there were only slightly over 1000 manufactured at Springfield for the 1870 through 1873 field trials. They differ from the Model 1871 Springfield Rolling Block Rifle by having a more simple action, with the Model 1871 (which have a manufacture date of 1872 stamped on the side) having a hammer that falls to a safety notch when the block is rotated closed, along with a modified extractor. Externally, their profile is pretty much identical. In reviewing the field issue of the Model 1870 Rolling Block Trials Rifles, I found the Ordnance Reports during those years show them issued mainly in groups of 20 along with the other trial types to multiple companies of infantry regiments throughout the army, both in the old Reconstruction South, and throughout the west. The companies that were selected to receive the trials rifles were generally issued 20 of each type which included the Model 1870 Sharps Rifles (Types One and Two), the Model 1870 Springfield Allin system Rifles, and the Model 1870 Springfield Rolling Blocks. Later on during the trial, the Model 1870 Ward Burton Rifles were also issued in groups of 20 to the same trial companies. An interesting period, especially when one considers that the Rolling Block action was expected to prevail in the trials.
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