POTD: A Failed First – The Bolt Action Ward-Burton Rifle
Sam.S 09.27.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have the Ward-Burton Rifle. The Ward-Burton was a trial bolt-action rifle submitted to the US Army by Springfield Armory in 1871. After the government showed interest in replacing muzzleloaders with a bolt-action service rifle, Springfield provided this single-shot .50-70 entry. It had a cock-on-close action with six rear locking lugs, since black powder fouling plagued front lugs. However, the Ward-Burton performed just decently in army tests. For its simplicity, the existing Springfield Trapdoor ultimately won selection as the new standard rifle instead. So the Ward-Burton trials marked an early foray into bolt actions for US martial arms. But the army favored sticking with proven designs over adopting the unproven potential of the bolt mechanism at the time. The Ward-Burton showed fledgling steps toward bolt rifles, just a bit ahead of its era.
“Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1871
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 50-70 U.S. Govt
Barrel: 23 inch round
Finish: blue
Stock: walnut”
Lot 691: Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1871 Ward-Burton Bolt Action Rifle. (n.d.-h). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved September 26, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2027/691/scarce-u.s.-springfield-model-1871-ward-burton-bolt-action-rifle.
