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LOT 43
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Type III Trapdoor Officer’s Rifle - NSN, 45-70 Government cal., 26
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is an exceptional example of an original, U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875
Type III, “Officer’s Model” trapdoor Rifle. This series of rifle was manufactured circa 1877 to 1885 and were considered as a true
badge of rank and distinction held only by U.S. Calvary Officer’s. These were a private purchase weapon, procured directly
from Springfield Armory on a special order basis only. There were three different types of “Officer’s Model” rifles with a total
of 477 Officer’s Models made for all three types; with only 125 Type III Models made. The receiver, breechblock, lock plate,
hammer, barrel tang, and barrel band were all highly embellished with a decorative fine scroll engraving and it was fitted
with a hand selected American walnut stock. They all have a blued barrel/receiver with color casehardened breech block, lock
and hammer assembly, trigger guard/trigger plate and buttplate. The top of the breechblock is marked “U.S./MODEL/1873” in
three lines, and the lock plate is marked with the late pattern “Springfield Eagle/Shield” motif ahead of the hammer followed
by “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” surrounded by scroll engraving. They were fitted with a 26 inch round barrel that is stamped on the
left side with: “V/P/Eagle Head/P” proof from Springfield Armory. The barrel is fitted with a gold washed folding
Beach front sight that is a combination folding blade and globe front sight with a buckhorn Model
1877 rifle rear sight. The side of the rear sight base is graduated from 1-5 (100-500 yards), and
the face of the rear sight is graduated from 6-12 (600-1200 yards). The underside
of barrel has a single iron ramrod thimble and is correctly fitted with a hickory
wiping rod with nickel plated/knurled front ferrule and slotted rear ferrule. The
top of the wrist of the stock has a late Type III folding Vernier tang sight with the
oval base. It is fitted with the two piece trigger plate and trigger guard bow that
also has fine engraving and is fitted with a single set-trigger. These rare rifles were
fitted with a select grade American walnut half-stock with an oil-finish which
were hand checkered on the forend and pistol grip area. They were fitted with a
beautiful engraved German silver forend tip, with this example having the correct
Type III, slightly longer 1/2 to 5/8th inch forend tip with the engraved longer
finale. It is fitted with a solid steel buttplate stamped with a “U.S.” on top of the
heel. Since this is a late Type III rifle it has a correct boxed “S.W.P./1885” cartouche
on the left side with a circled script, “P” proofmark behind the checkered panel on
the underside of the stock.
CONDITION: Very fine overall with 85% plus of the blued finish still remaining
overall on the barrel with the exposed portion of the barrel showing a thinning blue finish mixed with
some light brown patina on the front and rear sections of the barrel where it is normally handled. The
receiver retains 95% plus of its finish. The lock plate assembly, hammer and breechblock show 85% of
their original case colors fading slightly around the edges, mixed with some
brown spotting overall. The trigger guard/trigger plate assembly shows 40%
plus of it case colors overall with more vivid, fiery case colors on the protected
area around the trigger area. The stock is excellent with minor light handling
marks and scratches on the sides with a very small stress crack just starting
to develop at the rear of the lock plate. The checkering is also in very fine
condition overall with nice distinct checkering overall with a small pressure
dents on the left side of the wrist and some light wear across the tops of the
checkering on the forend from normal use. The boxed cartouche and “P” proofs
are both excellent, with a nice sharp outline. A very nice looking, all original,
Type III Officer’s Model Trapdoor Rifle.
Estimate: 22,500 - 35,000
Of the approximately 477 U.S. Springfield 1875
Officer's Model rifles produced, about 100 were in
the Type III configuration.
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