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LOT 3152
Scarce Experimental U.S. Springfield Model 1886 Trapdoor Carbine - Serial no. 386102, 45-70 Government cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an example of one of the 1,000 experimental Model 1886 carbines manufactured by Springfield Armory, with almost all produced being issued to active cavalry units in the West. This carbine’s serial number falls comfortably within the 325000-400000 serial number range within which these carbines are generally seen. It shows standard markings, including “SWP/1886” cartouche, and it features the typical longer 24-inch barrel, nearly full
length walnut stock, “wraparound” front sling swivel for ease of sheathing, “XC” marked Buffington rear sight, and buttplate compartment for cleaning rod (includes three-piece cleaning rod). Collection marking in white under varnish on the bottom of the trigger guard. CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly a mixture of arsenal refurbished blue finish fading to a grey patina with some rough patches and 40% of the case colors remaining on the breech block with the balance a brown-grey patina. The lightly sanded and reoiled wood is also very good with minimal minor handling marks and a mostly crisp restamped cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3153 Custer Era U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1873 Trapdoor Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 39728, 45-70 Government cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a solid representative example of a U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine manufactured prior to the Battle of Little Bighorn in June 1876, and within the serial number range of 33,000 to 43,700 which the 7th Cavalry’s carbines are believed to be from. Many trapdoor carbines were used extensively by the U.S. Cavalry throughout the Indian Wars, and also fell into the hands of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and other Native American tribes. All of the 7th Cavalry carbines are presumed to have been picked up by the Indians as none were found on the battlefield. Features a fixed blade front sight, notch and folding ladder rear sight graduated 1-5 on the base and 6-12 on the ladder, “MODEL/1873/eagle head/crossed arrows/US” marked breechblock, and “U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873” marked lock plate. Fitted with a smooth stock numbered “34” on the forend and faint circle “P,” with saddle ring, bar, and smooth trap-less buttplate marked “FF” with punch marks. CONDITION: Good, exhibiting mostly a smooth brown patina overall with traces of original case colors remaining, some light pitting, and sharp markings in the metal. The sanded and re-oiled stock is also good with numerous scattered dings and several dents filled in. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3154
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1866 Second Model Allin Conversion Trapdoor Rifle - NSN, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 36 5/8 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Designed by Erskine S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory, to correct multiple problems encountered with the Model 1865 conversion rifles. Approximately 25,000 Civil War era muzzle loading rifle-muskets were converted at Springfield Armory to Allin’s Model 1866 breech loading system and rechambered to .50-70 CF. The Model 1866 received it’s baptism by fire in the hands of U.S. troops in the Hayfield Fight and Wagon Box Fight, both a day apart on the 1st and 2nd of August 1867 along the Bozeman Trail, in which the severely outnumbered U.S. troops
successfully held off several hundred Native American warriors. This example is dated “1864” on the lock and “1866” on the breech block. The left stock flat is stamped with a boxed script “HSH” inspection cartouche. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% of the original black oil-quenched casehardened finish on the breech block. Barrel remains bright with some minor brown surface freckling. The lock retains 70% of the muted original case colors with a few patches of minor surface pitting. Sharp markings on the breech block and lock. Stock is very fine with distinct edges, a few light scratches and dents, a small chip on the edge beneath the lock, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3155
Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1865 First Model Allin Conversion Breech Loading Rifle - NSN, 58 RF cal., 37 3/4 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1865 First Model Allin Trapdoor design was invented by Erskine S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory, as a solution to converting the massive surplus of, then outdated, muzzle loading rifled-muskets manufactured during the Civil War to a more modern breech loading design. Only 5,000 of these First Model Allins (also known as the Model 1865) were manufactured by altering existing rifle-muskets to the Trapdoor system in order to allow loading from the breech end with a .58 rimfire metallic cartridge. After only one year of production, Springfield shifted to manufacturing the simpler .50-70 centerfire Model 1866 Second Model Allin conversion rifles, making any surviving First Models scarce and
desirable. This example features an “1865” dated lock, boxed script “SWP” (Samuel W. Porter) and oval script “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) inspection cartouches stamped on the left stock flat, and “US” marked buttplate tang. CONDITION: Very good with some scattered light surface pitting on the bright surfaces. The lock, hammer, and breech block have a mostly brown patina with strong markings on the lock. The refinished stock is also very good with faint markings and scattered dings and bruises throughout. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3156 Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial no. 403518, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Blued barrel, receiver, hammer, trigger guard, buttplate, and barrel band. Casehardened breechblock and receiver tang. Left side breech end of barrel marked with “V/P” and eagle head proofmarks. Low arch breech block marked “U.S/MODEL/1884”. The lock plate is marked with the American eagle next to “U.S./SPRINGFIELD”. The oil finished walnut stock is stamped with the boxed script “SWP/1887” final inspection cartouche of Samuel W. Porter on the left wrist. Blade front and Buffington ladder rear sight, two-piece trigger guard and trigger bar assembly, serrated trigger, iron cleaning rod, and smooth buttplate marked “US” on the heel.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus original blue finish with some light wear marks around the muzzle, some smooth brown patina on the rear barrel band, a few patches of light freckling, and 97% plus vivid original case colors on the breech block and barrel tang. The stock is very fine with sharp defined edges and attractive grains, numerous scattered light pressure dents and scratches, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor rifle would proudly fill a necessary hole in any U.S. military firearms collection! Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
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NOTICE THE "XC" MARKED BUFFINGTON REAR SIGHT