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Fine Model 1875 Springfield U.S. "Trapdoor" Officer's Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Fine Model 1875 Springfield U.S.  Trapdoor  Officer's Rifle
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Estimate: $16000 - 22500
This Springfield Armory Second Type Model 1875 Trapdoor Officer's Rifle was made between 1877 and 1881. The rifle has a blued barrel, case-hardened barrel band, receiver, low arch breechblock, hammer, trigger guard, and buttplate. The oil finished, walnut, half-stock has a checkered wrist, forearm and detachable walnut half-pistol grip. The forearm has a German silver tip. The barrel has a dovetail mounted Beach folding combination globe front sight and buckhorn Model 1877 rifle rear sight. A folding vernier tang sight with oval base is mounted on the stock wrist. The rifle has a single set-trigger, The underside of the barrel has a single iron ramrod pipe and the rifle is fitted with a hickory wiping rod with nickel-plated, knurled front ferrule and slotted rear ferrule. The forearm cap, top of the receiver, breech block, hammer, tang, cam latch, lockplate, trigger guard, and buttplate are decorated with well-executed, open, scroll engraving. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with "V/P/eagle head/P" proof and inspection marks ahead of the receiver. The top of the breech block is marked: "U.S./MODEL/1873" in three lines. The lockplate has the Springfield Eagle and Shield motif ahead of the hammer followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" the markings are surrounded by scroll engraving. The heel of the buttplate is stamped "U.S." and surrounded by scrollwork. An encircled, script, "P" proofmark is stamped behind the checkered panel on the underside of the stock. The rifle is, correctly, lacks a final inspection mark on the left side of the stock wrist and is not serial numbered. Springfield Armory manufactured an estimated 252 Second Type Model 1875 Trapdoor Officer's Rifles. Documents provided by the consignor state that this rifle was originally acquired from the estate of Colonel Fontaine Harding of Bangor, Maine, in the early 1950s. The documents state that COL. Hardy was a retired cavalry officer.
BBL: 26 In
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 45-70
Finish: blue/case-hardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Fine. The rifle is all original and retains 70% of the slightly faded blue and case-hardened finish. The barrel has some scattered age spotting and some minor edge wear at the muzzle. The colors on the case-hardened components have faded to a mottled silver-gray patina. There is a significant amount of rear on the top of the receiver, the bottom of the trigger guard and the buttplate. The silver-plated finish on the forearm tip and the wiping rod ferrules have some scattered flaking. The vernier rear sight is missing the aperture and elevator bar. The stock and detachable pistol grip are both in very fine overall condition with crisp checkering and minor handling marks. The engraved scrollwork is deep and crisp. The Springfield markings on the lockplate, breech block and barrel are sharp. This is a fine example of a scarce and very desirable U.S. martial arm.