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LOT 143
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 a true badge of rank and distinction held only by U.S. Cavalry
officers. 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 100 Type III Models made (“.45-
70 Springfield” by Frasca). The receiver, breechblock, lock plate, hammer,
barrel tang, and barrel band were all highly embellished with a decorative
fine scroll engraving. 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. It is 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,
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 the 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, like this example, were fitted with a select grade
American walnut half-stock which were hand checkered on the forend
and pistol grip area and received and oil finished. 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 finial. It is fitted with a solid steel buttplate stamped with
“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: 18,000 - 27,500
Collector’s Fact
According to ".45-70 Springfield" by Frasca, 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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