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SCARCE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1875 FIRST TYPE OFFICER'S MODEL TRAPDOOR RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 12,500.00 USD
SCARCE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1875 FIRST TYPE OFFICER'S MODEL TRAPDOOR RIFLE.
Cal. 45-70. Scarce first type officer's model with 26" rnd bbl, missing the front sight & 1200 yd musket ladder rear sight. The high arch breech block has the 1873 markings and the lock plate is simply marked "U.S. / SPRINGFIELD" forward of a spreadwinged American eagle. Mounted in a 1-pc walnut half stock with coarse checkered forearm & straight stock that has musket/carbine buttplate without trap. Forearm has a pewter tip in foliate pattern & forearm is secured by a single band with spring keeper. Top of the wrist is mounted with the first type tang sight with rnd base screwed into the wood. Trigger is single-set style. Lock plate, hammer, breech block, thumb lever, trigger guard, front receiver ring, bbl band, forend cap & buttplate tang are very nicely engraved in flowing foliate arabesque patterns with light shading. Bbl has the standard "VP" and eagle inspector marks & the buttplate tang is marked "US". Bottom of the bbl has a single iron guide which contains a hickory and brass cleaning rod. According to Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms only about 125 of these rifles were produced in the period 1875 to 1877. They were initially intended as special order items for military officers but later were awarded as shooting prizes and eventually civilians were even allowed to purchase them. CONDITION: Good to very good. Bbl retains strong blue in sheltered areas with the balance a light brown patina with an area of rust pitting on top & bottom just forward of the forearm. Lockplate, hammer, breechblock & receiver retain silvered case colors with faded colors inside the breech block. Stock has a couple of scrapes with a few light nicks & scratches, shows moderate wear with a few dings on the checkering and overall retains most of it's orig oil finish. Mechanics are fine. Strong, sharp bore with good shine and moderate pitting. 4-49071 JR270