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Scarce Early Production Springfield Model 1875 "Trapdoor" Officer's Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 27,500.00 USD
Scarce Early Production Springfield Model 1875  Trapdoor  Officer's Rifle
This is an example of a Springfield Type I, Model 1875 Officer's Rifle that was manufactured circa 1876-1877. The rifle has a blued barrel and casehardened barrel band, receiver, breechblock, hammer, lock plate, trigger guard and buttplate. The oil-finished, black walnut stock has a checkered wrist and forearm with engraved, German silver forearm tip. The rifle has the early, 1876-1877 features that include: (1) a 'high arch' breechblock marked "MODEL/1873/Eagle Head/Crossed Arrows/U.S.", (2) lock plate is roll-stamped with the Springfield Eagle and shield motif followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873" in three lines, (3) small "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks on the left side of the barrel and (4) Model 1873 Rifle rear sight graduated to 400 yards on the right side of the base and 1200 yards on the leaf. The barrel is fitted with a single ramrod thimble that secures a hickory ramrod with nickel-plated brass tip and wiper ferrule. The barrel has a dovetailed Beach folding globe front sight with brass pin. A Springfield altered Sharps folding Vernier rear sight is mounted on the stock wrist. The rifle is fitted with a single set trigger. The rifle has a carbine trigger guard with no sling swivel and a smooth trigger. The forearm tip, barrel band, receiver, breechblock tang, hammer, lock plate and buttplate are all decorated with well-executed scroll engraving. The rifle is correctly not serial numbered. The left side of the stock has an oval cheek recess that definitely is of the period and quite possibly may have been an alteration by Springfield Armory. Springfield Armory manufactured approximately 125 of these rare and desirable Type I Officer's Rifle between 1875 and 1877.
BBL: 26 inch
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 45/70 Govt.
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN


Very fine. The rifle retains approximately 70% of the original faded blue and 30% casehardened finish. There is some finish loss and light pitting on the top of the barrel. The casehardened finish has a silver-gray patina with strong case colors remaining in protected areas. The engraving is crisp and deep and the markings on the barrel, breechblock, lock plate and buttplate are sharp. The stock is fine (see above) with minimal handling wear and some minor flattening to the checkering on the wrist and forearm. This is a fine example of a scarce Springfield Type I, Model 1875, Trapdoor Officer's Rifle in very good condition.