Model 1881 Trapdoor Forager: Cheap Entertainment for the Troops
This video details the US Army's Model 1881 Trapdoor Forager shotgun, a cost-effective 20-gauge firearm adopted in 1881. Constructed using modified 1873 Trapdoor actions and rebored .58 caliber barrels, these shotguns were intended to provide soldiers stationed west of the Mississippi with recreational shooting and a means to supplement their rations with game. The video highlights the minimal number of new parts required for their production and their positive reception by troops, who continued to use them until at least 1900. The content focuses on the historical context and practical application of this unique military firearm.












