Loading for the 1873 springfield carbine
Soviet Union Ordnance officers were searching for a semiautomatic rifle to become standard issue for Red Army infantry when World War II intervened. Even their carbines’ names are similar: The Soviet’s Models 38 and 44, and Japan’s Types 38 and 44. Two very different nations followed the same path in developing carbines from their infantry rifles: The Soviet Union and Japan. Model 1903 “Springfields” were given 24-inch barrels instead of the 29- to 32-inch barrels normally used for many other nations’ infantry rifles. Ordnance officers compromised with a revolutionary notion at that time. Germany made lightening cuts on G33/40s but added a heavy sheet steel stock protector as part of its buttplate.After two more slightly altered versions of “Krag” carbines – the Models 18 – the United States gave up on the military carbine concept for more than 40 years. On my Model 1873 carbine, the sight is marked to 15, which presumably means 1,500 yards, but the rifle sight is only marked to 12, again presuming 1,200 yards. Each is inscribed with a “C” or “R,” pertaining to which gun they should be mounted upon. They look identical at a glance ladder types with a sliding leaf and graduated scale. Front sights are blade types in studs brazed to the barrel. Model 1873 carbines weigh 7.5 pounds, and rifles are 9 pounds. The carbine’s overall length is 40.25 inches. Rifles have an overall length of 51.75 inches. If the cavalryman was unhorsed, his carbine stayed with him. Cavalry slings fit diagonally over the trooper’s left shoulder so the carbine hung down on the right side. Rifles were meant for normal sling carry and have appropriate swivels, but carbines have sling rings.
#LOADING FOR THE 1873 SPRINGFIELD CARBINE FULL#
Infantry rifle stocks are nearly full length, with carbine stocks considered half length. Model 1873 receivers for rifles and carbines were the same. Velocity was rated at 1,300 fps from rifles, but in my experience that velocity is doubtful. 45 Government infantry-load bullets were increased to 500 grains, but retained the 70-grain charge. Those were as fired in 32.63-inch and 22-inch barrels, respectively. Army Ordnance Department was 1,350 fps for the 70-grain charge, and 1,150 fps for the 55-grain charge. Velocities for each load as reported by the U.S. Velocities have also been rounded to approximate levels. In the following text, measurements and weights are from my actual collection, not copied from other sources. Note that sources vary from book to book on exact barrel lengths, overall lengths and weights of the following rifles and carbines, not to mention their loads’ velocities. Most military carbines had open rear sights. The British hollowed out the bolt knobs on No.