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LOT 1047
Very Fine U.S. Springfield Officer’s Model 1875 Type II Trapdoor Rifle - NSN, 45-70 Government cal.,
26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a very fine example of a rare Type II U.S.
Springfield Model 1875 Trapdoor Officer’s Model rifle. Only a reported 477 total Officer’s Model rifles of three
types were manufactured by the Springfield Armory between 1875 and 1885 to fulfill the request by U.S. Army
officers for suitable sporting rifles for use in hunting and target shooting. Of those, 252 are estimated to have
been this Type II configuration, manufactured c. 1877-1881, showing features of the Model 1877 and 1879
rifles. The Officer’s Models are easily among the most desirable of all the rifles manufactured by the Springfield
Armory thanks to their rarity, quality, and connection to military officers. They are not serial numbered, but
this rifle is marked “25” on the inside of the trigger guard bow and “51” on top of the stock behind the breech
tang. In function, the rifle is a standard trapdoor rifle with a low-arch breech block. However, it is embellished
with traditional acanthus scroll engraving on the forend cap, barrel band, receiver, breech block, lock, hammer,
trigger guard and buttplate. The lock has the standard markings including a federal eagle with shield
behind “U.S./SPRINGFIELD”, the breech block is marked “U.S./MODEL/1873”, standard “V/P/eagle
head” proofs on the upper left of the barrel at the breech, a circled script “P” proofmark
behind the checkered panel on the underside of the stock,
“US” on the buttplate tang, shorter 26 inch
barrel fitted with a folding combination
blade and globe Beach front sight, Model
1879 buckhorn rear sight graduated 1-5 on
the left side of the stepped base and 6-12 on
the ladder, Springfield tang mounted peep
sight, traditional style wood cleaning rod
with nickeled and knurled tip mounted below
the barrel, single set trigger, walnut sporting
stock with checkered forend and wrist, and a
detachable checkered walnut pistol grip.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% original
blue finish on the barrel with some areas
thinning to a smooth brown and some
scattered light scratches, muted patterns
of original case colors visible on the
casehardened surfaces, with some scattered
light surface freckling, and sharp well-
executed scroll engraving overall. The
stock is also very fine with rich original oil
finish, some light dents, scratches, nicks,
distinct edges and defined checkering
overall. Mechanically excellent. This rare U.S.
Springfield Officer’s Model 1875 rifle would
make a fine addition to any U.S. military or
antique American arms collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
Of the approximately 477 U.S. Springfield 1875 Officer's Model
rifles produced, about 252 were in the Type II configuration.
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