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Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1868 Trapdoor Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,700.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1868 Trapdoor Rifle
This unissued U.S. Springfield Model 1868 "Trapdoor" Rifle was manufactured between 1868 and 1872. The rifle has a 'National Armory Bright' barrel, forend tip, barrel bands, trigger guard and buttplate. The receiver, breechblock and tang have a dark, water-quenched casehardened finish. The hammer and lock plate are oil-quenched with stronger case colors. The folding leaf rear sight has a blue finish. The stock is oil-finished black walnut. The Civil War lock plate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and roll-stamped with the eagle and shield motif followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in two lines ahead of it. The breechblock is stamped "1869" over an eagle head with crossed arrows and "U.S.". The serial number, "11451" is stamped on the left side of the barrel and receiver. The left stock flat is stamped with inspection marks. Two of these marks are the script initials "ESA" in an oval. The other two inspection marks have three illegible script initials with an oval border.
BBL: 32 1/2 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 50-70 U.S. Govt
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: 11451


Excellent. The unissued rifle retains at least 98% of the casehardened finish on the receiver, breechblock and tang. The case colors on the hammer and lock plate have faded slightly to a dove-gray. The barrel, forearm tip, barrel bands, trigger guard and buttplate have most of the bright finish. The buttplate has been lightly cleaned and shows some scattered light pitting. The stock is excellent with scattered light handling and storage marks. The left stock flat has some light storage dents. The markings on the breechblock and lock plate are sharp. The Ordnance inspection marks on the left stock flat are crisp. This is an exceptional, unissued example of a U.S. Model 1868 Springfield "Trapdoor" Rifle.