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LOT 151 Rare U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Lee Vertical Action Single Shot Trials Rifle - Serial no. 18, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These rare Model 1875 rifles were manufactured by
Springfield Armory under the supervision of inventor James Paris Lee. On June 23, 1874, Congress approved “For the purpose of testing Mr. Lee’s breech loading gun under the direction of the Secretary of War the sum of ten thousand dollars is hereby appropriated.” After one year, 143 rifles were completed using the appropriated $10,000, working out to a cost of approximately $69.93 per rifle. The Model 1875 Lee drew inspiration from the Martini and Peabody series of single shot falling block rifles. The biggest change introduced by Lee was the use of a combination hammer and breech lever; from a decocked position, a push forward on the hammer drops the breech block and ejects a spent cartridge case, and when a new round is chambered the breech block automatically pops back upwards to a closed position via spring pressure. Once closed, the hammer can be thumbed back to a locked half-cock position for carry or all the way back to full-cock ready for firing. These rifles were reportedly capable of a rate of fire of about 40 rounds per minute. Blade front sight doubling as a lug for a socket
bayonet and 1,100 yard Model 1873 folding ladder rear sight. Serial number “18” marked on the right of the hammer and underneath the breech block (requires disassembly to view). The upper tang is stamped “U.S.” above “PAT. MAR. 16. 1875.” It has two “U” marked barrel bands. The front band has stacking sling swivels, and the trigger guard has a single swivel through the front. The smooth straight grip stock is stamped with Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin’s oval script “ESA” inspection cartouche ahead of the left stock wrist and a small “U” inspection letter ahead of the circled script “P” proof stamped behind the trigger guard. “US” marked buttplate tang. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% original blue finish with smooth brown and gray patinas on the balance. The revarnished stock is fine with defined edges, scattered scratches and handling marks, a hairline stress crack visible on the left of the wrist, and a clear cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 152
U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle Fitted with Scarce Experimental Metcalfe Device - Serial no. 61073, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Patented in 1875, the Metcalfe device was invented by Ordnance officer Henry Metcalfe. It consists of a steel mounting bracket installed on the rifle and interchangeable wooden cartridge blocks. The blocks were to be issued pre-loaded and carried on the belt, replacing the cartridge boxes of the day. While the system never took off, echoes of it can be seen in the practice of issuing ammunition in pre-loaded “stripper clips” starting in the 20th
century. Only 100 Model 1870 and 1,008 Model 1873 rifles were fitted with the device. The Model 1873 examples were never used and are assumed to have been entirely disposed of via disassembly or sales. The stock has a very good fit and a crisp “ESA” cartouche on the left flat. The front receiver ring is marked “MASS”, and the top of the breechblock is marked with an additional “E”. The rifle otherwise has the standard Model 1873 markings and features including the low arch breechblock and circle script “P” cartouche behind the trigger guard. The serial number falls near the accepted range for the experimental rifles. CONDITION: Good as assembled. The metal surfaces have 25% of the faded original finish along with an established brown patina. There are some scattered minor marks. The stock is very fine with some small pressure marks and a few scratches and retains a dark oil stained appearance. The two click tumbler action functions fine, and the markings are clear throughout. A solid representative example of a unique U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Rifle with experimental Metcalfe device. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 153
Scarce Experimental U.S. Springfield Model 1886 Trapdoor Carbine - Serial no. 335806, 45-70 Government cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an example of one of 1,000 experimental Model 1886 carbines manufactured by Springfield Armory, with almost all issued to active cavalry units in the West and far fewer surviving today. This carbine’s serial number falls within the 325000-400000 serial number range within which these carbines are generally seen. It features a 24-inch barrel, nearly full length walnut stock, “wraparound” front sling swivel for ease of sheathing, correct “XC” marked Buffington rear sight, a faint boxed script “SWP/1883” inspection cartouche stamped on the left wrist, “US” marked buttplate with compartment containing a three-piece cleaning rod. CONDITION: Very good, retains 40% arsenal refurbished blue finish and 80% dark arsenal refurbished case colors with scattered mild freckling and surface corrosion. Stock is also very good as arsenal refinished, with scattered light scratches and dents, a small crack visible on the left ahead of the rear lock screw, absent slivers at the right tip of the forend and to the right of the barrel tang, and a visible cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 154 Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1880 Experimental Trapdoor Rifle with Triangular Ramrod Bayonet - Serial no. 157848, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is one of only 1,001 Model 1880 experimental rifles manufactured approximately April-June of 1881, with far less surviving examples encountered today. This rifle was the first serious attempt at adopting the ramrod bayonet by the U.S. military, which was
received negatively, as were almost all attempts that followed all the way up to the early Model 1903s. The main difference between this model and the standard Model 1879 rifles is the inclusion of a sliding “rod bayonet” with a triangular blade, the associated locking mechanism fitted below the barrel, compartment in the butt, with otherwise standard features. Two circled script “P” firing proofs stamped behind the lower tang, and Samuel W. Porter’s boxed script “SWP/1881” inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock flat. Includes a shell extractor tool inside the butt compartment. CONDITION: Very good, retains 40% original blue finish and case colors strongest in protected areas, with scattered mild freckling and smooth brown patina on the balance. Stock is also very good, with a small chipped section on the left tip of the forend, chips on either side of the barrel tang, some dents and scratches, and a defined cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750 183