Model 1871 Ward-Burton bolt-action rifle
This video delves into the Model 1871 Ward-Burton bolt-action rifle, an early contender for a US military breechloading rifle. It was one of four rifles trialed alongside the Sharps, Trapdoor Springfield, and Remington Rolling Block. The Ward-Burton, a single-shot design, featured a novel bolt action for its time, patented by Generals William Ward and Bethel Burton. Despite its innovative design, it was ultimately not adopted due to soldiers' unfamiliarity with its internal striker mechanism, leading to accidental discharges, and some mechanical issues. A total of 1013 rifles and 313 carbines were manufactured by Springfield in .50-70 caliber.














