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Rare Type II U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Officer's Model Trapdoor Rifle Dated 1881

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:11,000.00 USD Estimated At:22,500.00 - 32,500.00 USD
Rare Type II U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Officer's Model Trapdoor Rifle Dated 1881
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Rare Type II U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Officer's Model Trapdoor Rifle Dated 1881

This is an excellent example of a very late Type II, U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Trapdoor Officer's Rifle as manufactured in 1881. These rifles were considered as a badge of rank and distinction by U.S. Calvary Officer's that had to be purchased directly from Springfield Armory on a special order basis only. There were three different types of rifles, with a total of 477 Officer's Models actually produced for all three types with 252 total Type II Models manufactured. This was in the largest block of rifles produced and can be found in better/higher condition. They all exhibited select walnut stocks, with a checkered wrist, and forend area with a separate checkered detachable walnut pistol grip. The receiver, breech block, lock plate, hammer and tang, and barrel band are all decorated with a fine scroll engraving. The left side of the barrel is stamped "V/P/Eagle Head/P" proof and the underside of barrel has a single iron ramrod thimble, and is fitted with a hickory wiping rod with nickel plated, knurled front ferrule and slotted rear ferrule. The top of the breech block is marked "U.S./MODEL/1873" in three lines and the lock plate is marked with the "Springfield Eagle/Shield" motif ahead of the hammer followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD", surrounded by scroll engraving. The barrel has a beach front sight that has a combination folding blade/globe front sight with a first pattern buckhorn Model 1877 rifle rear sight. The top of the wrist of the stock has a late type III folding vernier tang sight with the oval base. It is fitted with the two piece trigger plate and trigger guard bow that also has fine engraving, that is correctly fitted with a single set-trigger. The rifle is fitted with an oil finished walnut half-stock that is fitted with an engraved German silver squared end forend tip. The end of the butt has a solid steel buttplate stamped with a "U.S." on top of the heel. The left side of the stock has a boxed "S.W.P./1881", with a circled script, "P" proofmark behind the checkered panel on the underside of the stock. These rifles all have a blue barrel, color casehardened receiver and components.

Manufucture: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1875
BBL: 26 inch round
Stock: walnut checkered
Guage: 45-70 Government
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 1881

Very fine with 90% of the original blued finish overall with some light brown in areas. The receiver, breech block, hammer, lock plate, trigger plate and trigger guard bow all retain 60% of the original color casehardened finish mostly in the protected areas with the exposed metal showing more of a fading case colors. The markings are clear and sharp. The walnut stock and pistol grip are also very fine with a nice original light brown oil finish overall with a clear distinct cartouche with some heavier pressure dents/bruises on the left side of the stock above the trigger. The checkering is also very fine with nice original checkering overall with some slight wear and flat spots across the tops of the checkering. An attractive and very fine example of a late Type II U.S. Springfield 1875 Officers Model trapdoor rifle.