3290

Outstanding Springfield Armory Model 1875 U.S. Trapdoor Officer's Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 37,500.00 USD
Outstanding Springfield Armory Model 1875 U.S. Trapdoor Officer's Rifle
Model 1875 Officer's Rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1885. Springfield Armory manufactured 477 Trapdoor Springfield Sporting Rifles for sale to Army officers between 1875 and 1885. The rifles were designed to provide officers with a high quality sporting rifle that utilized the standard .45-70 service cartridge. The rifle has a 26 inch blued barrel secured by a single barrel band. The barrel is fitted with a hickory cleaning rod secured by a single steel pipe. The cleaning rod has a slotted, un-plated, brass ferule at one end and a milled brass head at the opposite end. The oil-finished walnut stock has fine, bordered checkering on the wrist and forearm. The stock has a pewter forend cap and blued buttplate. A detachable, checkered, walnut, half-pistol grip is attached to the stock wrist. The hammer, lock plate, low-arch breechblock and trigger guard have a color casehardened finish. The rifle is fitted with a single set-trigger. A blued, Vernier tang sight with oval base is fitted to the stock wrist. The barrel has a Model 1879 Buckhorn Rifle rear sight and folding combination globe front sight. The oval base Vernier tang sight, half-pistol grip and un-plated ramrod ferules identify this rifle as one of the 100 Type III Officer's Rifles manufactured in 1885. The forearm tip, top of the barrel band, breechblock, tang, hammer, lock plate, trigger guard and heel of the buttplate are decorated with well-executed open scroll engraving. The top of the breechblock is stamped with the standard "US/MODEL/1878" markings. The lock plate has the Eagle and Shield motif and "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" markings surrounded by engraved scroll work. "V/P/Eagle Head/P" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel and a "P" proof is stamped at the center of the barrel. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark that consists of the script initials "SWP" over "1885" surrounded by a rectangle with squared corners. A encircled, script, "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the stock below the wrist checkering.
BBL: 26 inch
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 45-70 Government
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Excellent. The rifle retains 97% of the bright original blue and casehardened finish and shows only very minor storage wear. The case colors on the breechblock, tang, hammer, lock plate and trigger guard are vivid. The engraving is deep and crisp. The stock is in excellent condition and retains nearly all of the original oil finish. The checkering on the wrist, forearm and pistol grip is sharp and free from handling wear. The final inspection mark on the left wrist and the proofmark on the lower stock are perfect. Wear is limited to several very minor storage scratches on the left side of the butt and on the forearm below the upper lock screw. This is an outstanding example of the scarce and highly desirable Springfield Armory Model 1875 Officer's Rifle.