1870 SA-Rem Trials Rifle at battle of Santiago - 1898?

[Dick Hosmer]

Another "cross-over question: I recently acquired one of the 1000 .50-70 RRBs made at Springfield Armory for the 1870 Trials (which resulted in the continuation of the "trapdoor" in the U.S. service).

Have now heard from the previous owner, who gave me a statement that the rifle had been carried by an ancestor of his, one Charles Marth, who was a "wagoner" with the 71st NY, at the battle of Santiago in 1898. At first I thought it was just another "Uncle Charlie story", but now I am not so sure.

The name checks out on the muster rolls, and the 71st NY apparently DID keep their .50-70 rifles (albeit a slightly different model) through this period. Now, bearing it mind that such "support" troops often had second-class weapons, the story does not seem QUITE so far-fetched. What better place to find the unsuccessful trial rifles than in a miltary group already committed to that model and caliber?

So, my question - can anyone verify that the trials rifles (might have) wound up with the 71st NY? This is NOT an attempt at some big San Juan Hill buildup - the rifle would have been rear-echelon and likely never fired in anger, but it would be interesting to follow the thread until it breaks.

Thanks in advance for any and all info. Gene? Ed?

[ehull]

Dick- There is no record of the NGSNY receiving this obsolete rifle from the US. I have several NY ordnance reports from that period. It is unlikely that the Ordnance Dept. issued any such rifles post 1880 as the standard ammo was the .45-70 and resupply was always a priority. I have not heard of any S-A War unit which used the .50-70, though the NY Guard still used some .50-70s thru at least 1898. Most units--and certainly those Volunteer units on active duty--had been issued the .45 Springfield when called to war. Ed

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks Ed, that's pretty much what I had figured. If the association had been to anywhere but NY, who did use .50-70s (and RBs at that) longer than most, I would not even have asked.