More .45-70 Springfields, 1873-1893: The Uncommon, the Scarce & the Rare

Richard A. (Dick) Hosmer has collected Springfield rifles since 1970. He began by specializing in the Allin "trapdoor" series, but gradually expanded the hunt into an attempt to acquire a specimen of every different long-arm produced at SA during the 1865-1915 time period. This greatly increased the diversity and interest of the collection, though a few pieces have, so far, managed to elude him. A third-generation San Franciscan, he has lived in or near the San Francisco Bay area since 1937, receiving his secondary education at City College of San Francisco. His working life was spent in the construction industry, retiring in 2001 as senior project manager for a leading manufacturer of special-purpose (sound-retardant, bullet-proof, and blast-resistant) doors. He and his wife presently own and operate an antique store. He is a Life Member of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, and a Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association. He began this project in 1992, accepting a challenge from Joseph Poyer of North Cape Publications to write a book which would cover the scarcer models omitted from their basic work on the subject. Over 25 years, the project grew to two volumes, encompassing in total just over fifty related arms. The 'first half' of the project, entitled "The .58 and .50 Caliber Rifles and Carbines of Springfield Armory, 1865-1872" was published by North Cape in 2006. This volume completes the work. The author's family arrived in America in 1635, though his collateral lines extend to the "Mayflower". Several members have served in the military over the years, beginning with the French & Indian Wars. One, Abner Hosmer, of Acton MA was, at just 19, one of two patriots killed in the skirmish at the Old North Bridge in Concord MA, on 19 April 1775, the first day of the Revolutionary War. The other was Isaac Davis, captain of the Acton company. In addition to their military service, the family also had a very long association with the Springfield Armory. At least eight individuals were employed there and, at one point, three generations were working side-by-side. According to a 1968 article in "Gun Report" magazine, written by Major Christopher Dvarecka, Springfield's last historian, there was at least one Hosmer (all of whom were cousins of the author) on the Armory payroll from 1809 to 1915. That will stand forever as the record for length of service by one family at Springfield.