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Extraordinary, Finest Known U.S. Springfield Model 1879 Trapdoor Carbines

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
Extraordinary, Finest Known U.S. Springfield Model 1879 Trapdoor Carbines
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Estimate: $25000 - 40000
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S. Model: 1879 Trapdoor
This truly outstanding U.S. Springfield Model 1879 Trapdoor carbine was manufactured in 1880. The carbine has a military blue barrel, barrel band, rear sight, receiver, hammer, trigger guard, and buttplate. The breechblock and barrel tang have a water-quenched, case-hardened, finish. The black walnut stock is oil-finished. The carbine has the standard Model 1879 'short wrist' stock with butt trap, buttplate with trap door and oblong trap, lock with three-click tumbler, hammer with fine, bordered, checkering, 'low-arch' breechblock, fourth-form Model 1879 Buckhorn rear sight, barrel band with no sling swivel and case-hardened front sight blade with vertical back. A sling bar and ring is mounted on the left side of the stock. The left side of the rear sight base is graduated to 800 yards and stamped with a "C". A "C" is also stamped on the left sight leg. "R" is stamped on the barrel centerline between the rear sight and receiver and "V/P/Eagle Head/P" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel ahead of the receiver. The top of the breechblock is roll-stamped: "U.S./MODEL/1873" in three lines. The lock plate is roll-stamped with the Springfield Eagle and Shield motif followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873" in three lines ahead of the hammer. The serial number, "146178" is stamped on the top of the receiver. "U.S." is stamped on the top of the buttplate heel behind the screw. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with the Springfield Armory final inspection mark which consists of the script initials and date "SWP/1881" within a rectangle with flattened corners. An encircled script "P" proof mark is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. The butt trap contains a three-piece jointed cleaning rod and a ruptured cartridge extractor. Model 1879 carbines saw extensive service with the U.S. Cavalry regiments during the final years of the Indian Wars. Nearly all of the 15,000 Model 1879 carbines were overhauled during the Spanish American War for re-issue to state militia or National Guard units when the Krag carbines were issued to the regular cavalry regiments. Model 1879 carbines in original, as-issued, condition are extremely rare!
BBL: 22 In
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45/70 Govt.
Finish: blue/case-hardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 146178
Condition:
Excellent plus, as issued. This carbine remains in nearly new condition as originally shipped from Springfield Armory c. 1880. At least 98% of the military blue finish on the barrel and receiver remain. The barrel band, rear sight, hammer, lockplate, and trigger guard have a dull 'frosted' patina found only on blued Springfield Armory components that have received minimal handling. The buttplate retains about 95% of the military blue finish with minor contact wear on the high points. The case colors on the breechblock and barrel tang show no handling wear. All of the markings on the barrel, rear sight, receiver, breech block, lockplate, and buttplate are extremely sharp. The bore is mirror bright. The stock is in excellent plus condition and retains virtually all of the oil finish with only a few scattered and very minor storage marks. The Ordnance final inspection mark on the left stock wrist and the proof mark behind the trigger guard are extremely crisp. This is almost certainly the finest known example of a Springfield Model 1879 carbine extant.