Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor M1884 Rod Bayonet Rifle with Replacement Sight made in 1891 - Serial No 531632 Spanish Military Equipment they elected to work with

they elected to work with what they had

though it is worn from age and use

so that the pilot does not have the empty side of the belts whip around in front of him and getting entangled in the guns and airplane fittings

We unfortunately have not been able to identify the exact unit

The reverse of the plaque is backed in period newspaper and the center reads:

Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor M1884 Rod Bayonet Rifle with Replacement Sight made in 1891 - Serial No 531632 Spanish Military Equipment they elected to work withOriginal Item: Only One available. The U. S. breech loading Springfield "trapdoor" rifle was introduced in 1873 in . 45 70 caliber. Basically it was the rifle the U. S. Army used to open the West and Springfield trapdoor carbines were used by Custer's Cavalry at the massacre at The Little Big Horn. This example has the breech block marking: U. S. MODEL 1884 In 1884 the integral Round Rod Bayonet was introduced, which could double as a cleaning rod, a