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LOT 3123
Outstanding and Rare U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Lee Vertical Action Single Shot Trials Rifle - Serial no. 31, 45-70
Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only 143 of these rare Model 1875 Lee rifles
were manufactured c. 1875 by Springfield Armory, according to “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 9A-404). Offered here is an excellent example that shows
minimal evidence of use. 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, under the supervision of inventor
James Paris Lee, 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 “31” marked on the right of the hammer and bottom of 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 on the left
below the action, and a small “I” inspection letter ahead of a circled script “P” proof stamped behind the trigger guard. “US” marked buttplate tang.
CONDITION: Excellent, nearly as issued, retaining 97% attractive original blue finish on the barrel, 98% original oil quenched casehardened finish on the receiver and breech block, 90% plus original
oil quenched casehardened finish on the hammer, trigger guard and buttplate, a bright loading slot on top of the breech block, a few small patches of minor surface corrosion at the muzzle, with
absolutely sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is also excellent with attractive grain and rich oil finish, a few minor handling marks, defined edges and an exceptionally crisp cartouche.
Mechanically excellent. This is a superior example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Lee trials rifle, and would make an excellent addition to any advanced U.S. military firearms collection!
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 3124
Excellent Winchester Third Model 1883 Hotchkiss Bolt Action Musket - Serial
no. 82546, 45-70 Government cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This
exceptional Winchester Hotchkiss Third Model 1883 was
manufactured in 1895. The three major models of the Winchester
Hotchkiss bolt actions were manufactured c. 1879-1899. The
Winchester Hotchkiss was originally designed by Benjamin
Hotchkiss and features a turn bolt action design with a tubular
magazine that loads under the bolt. Hotchkiss sold the patent
rights to Winchester in 1877, and the resulting firearms were
Winchester’s first attempt at manufacturing and marketing a bolt
action rifle. These Third Models can be easily distinguished from the earlier models by the two-piece stock
and exposed frame. It features a pinned blade front sight, the two-line Winchester address on top of the
barrel partially covered by the rear barrel band, notch and ladder rear sight graduated from 1-4 on the base
and 5-10 on the ladder, “45-70” on top of the barrel at the breech, long forend secured by two barrel bands and
fitted with a steel cap, “{MODEL OF 1883}” on the upper tang, the serial number “82546” on bottom ahead of the trigger guard bow, the three-line
patent marking on the lower tang, and smooth buttstock with casehardened steel buttplate with “119” stamped on top.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus original blue and vivid casehardened finishes, with a few areas of minor thinning and flaking, some scattered areas of light
to mild freckling mainly on the buttplate, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Wood is also excellent with attractive grain, a few minor storage handling
marks, and distinct edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
Collector’s Fact
According to "Flayderman's
Guide", only 143 U.S.
Springfield Model 1875
Lee Vertical rifles were
manufactured.
115