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LOT 3080
Exceptional U.S.
Springfield Model 1879 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial
no. 173812, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured c. 1882. A boxed script “SWP/1881” cartouche is marked on the left wrist. The left rear
of the barrel is marked with “V/P/eagle head” and “P” proofs, and an “R” on top of the barrel at the
breech. The high arch breech block is marked “U.S./MODEL/1873” and the lock plate is marked with
the federal eagle/shield motif and “U.S./SPRINGFIELD”. Three-click tumbler and smooth trigger. Circled
script “P” proof stamp behind the lower tang. Includes a period brown leather sling.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% original blue finish and case colors, with some handling
marks and patches of light freckling. Stock is very fine with distinct edges, some light scratches and
dents, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,250
LOT 3081
U.S. Remington Army Model 1871 Rolling Block
Pistol - Serial no. 2454, 50 CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. Only around 6,000 Army Model 1871 Rolling Block pistols were
manufactured by Remington in the 1870s and 1880s, with approximately 5,000 sold to
the U.S. Army. They were inspected by Curtis R. Stickney whose
script initials “CRS” are stamped in a boxed cartouche on the
left side of the grip. These were the last single shot U.S. martial
pistols. Those in high condition like this one are especially
desirable. The pistol has an 8 inch blue barrel, casehardened
breech block and frame with the distinctive hump on the
back strap, niter blue trigger and bright hammer. The left of
the frame is marked with the two-line address/patent dates
marking and “P S”, which stands for “Proofed” and “Stickney”. It has a standard fixed blade front sight on the
barrel and integral notch rear sight on the breech block. “2747” marked on the left of both grip straps, with
“2454” on the left of the rear grip strap.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 85% original blue finish on the barrel with some thinning, 60% original case
colors on the frame with some fading on the grip straps, and a few patches of minor freckling. Wood is fine
with some light dents and scratches, and a defined cartouche. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3079
U.S. Springfield Chaffee-Reece Model 1882 Magazine Bolt Action Trials
Rifle - NSN, 45-70 Government cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Reportedly, only 753 of these rifles were manufactured at
Springfield Armory in 1884, making this model one of the rarest manufactured by the armory. These rifles are based on designs by General J. N. Reece (often
misspelled Reese) and Reuben Chaffee, and approved for production and field use by the Ordnance Department in 1882 for testing alongside the Lee and Hotchkiss bolt action
magazine rifles. The rifles were sold as surplus after trials. Many were damaged and simply sold as scrap. Circled
script “P” firing proof stamp visible behind the lower tang.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 80% original blue finish and strong traces of original case colors with scattered mild
to heavy surface spotting/oxidation overall, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Stock is very good as sanded and re-oiled, with a
lightened appearance, a few minor dings, and defined edges. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
Only 753 Chaffee-Reece Model 1882
rifles were produced for U.S. Trials.
LOT 3078
U.S. Springfield Model 1870 Type
I Alteration Sharps New Model 1859 Breech Loading
Infantry Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 41827, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 35 inch round
bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle is one of just an estimated 700 1st Type Model 1870s manufactured c. 1870
from converted percussion straight breech rifles, a New Model 1859 in this case. There were also another 300 2nd Types made with
Model 1874 style actions and another 308 made as carbines. They were made for field trials after the 1870 Board to select a breech loading rifle. It has an armory bright
barrel with a military pattern front sight that doubles as a socket bayonet lug, a blued notch and folding ladder rear sight, the serial number on the left at the breech and on top of the
upper receiver tang, armory bright barrel bands, nose cap, military style cleaning rod and “US” marked buttplate, casehardened action and breech block, the Sharps and Lawrence patent
markings on the lock and frame, small single letter inspection initials on some components, oval script “ESA” cartouche of Springfield Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin, and sling swivels on the
upper barrel band and bottom of the buttstock. Includes a “US” marked socket bayonet and a “U.S.” marked brown leather sling.
CONDITION: Very good, with mostly bright barrel and components, strong traces of original case colors showing in protected areas of the breech block with otherwise smooth gray patina on the balance, scattered areas of dark
colored light pitting and oxidation, a structural crack visible on top of the upper receiver tang running through the front screw, and mostly defined markings. Wood is also very good with numerous scattered dents and scratches,
an absent forearm screw, and a legible cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3077
Very Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1877
Transitional Trapdoor Rifle with Rare Bull Rear
Sight - Serial no. 77841, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 20,000 Model 1877 rifles were
manufactured from 1877-1878 with attributes of both the Model 1873 and the Model 1879, and are considered much rarer than the other standard models.
Circled script “ESA/1877” (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche on the left of the wrist. Stock wrist thickened from the previous model and a longer 10 1/2 inch comb. Standard blade front
sight and rare Freeman R. Bull modified windage adjustable “R” marked 1,100 yard curved base folding ladder rear sight as usually found on long range rifles. Standard three-groove rifling with “V/P/eagle head”
proofs at the breech. “U.S./MODEL/1873” marked high-arch breech block. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion and period leather sling.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus attractive original blue finish on the barrel with light muzzle wear, some light flaking on the end cap, light corrosion on the cleaning rod, and sharp markings. Receiver and breech
block retains 80% dark oil quenched colors. Stock is excellent with raised grain and rich oil finish, some light scattered dings and handling marks, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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