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LOT 181
Excellent U.S. Springfield Model
1884 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial no.
418865, 45-70 cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an excellent example of an original unaltered M1884 Trapdoor
rifle manufactured in 1888. These were the primary U.S. rifle until the advent of the Krag-Jorgensen rifles and were still found in some National Guard
Armories into the 1930s. This rifle has all the mid to late production features such as the M1884 Buffington rear sight that is adjustable for both windage and
elevation with a blade front sight, the serrated trigger, three-click tumbler, two-piece trigger guard and trigger plate with the sling swivel on the front and the
double upper sling swivel/barrel band, the smooth buttplate with no trapdoor and the low arched breechblock. The
rear of the barrel is correctly marked with the “V/P/eagle head” proof and the top of the breechblock is marked “US/MODEL/1884”. The lock plate is
marked with the large American eagle next to the “US/SPRINGFIELD” and the top of the buttplate is marked with the large “US”. It has the original
issue full length military stock that has a single cartouche on the left side that is marked “SWP/1888” and a single circled Gothic “P” proof behind the
trigger guard. Double sling swivel mounted on the barrel band with one also on the trigger guard. Complete with ram rod.
CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus original blue finish on the barrel showing slight muzzle wear from fixing a bayonet as well as a few delicate
collector type handling marks. The lock retains nearly all the beautiful, deep original case colors. The side plate and hammer retain 98% original
blue finish with sharp markings. The wood is also excellent with some light reoiling and some scattered light pressure marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,500
LOT 180
Excellent U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial no. 371331, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an excellent example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor rifle, as manufactured in 1887. Blade
front and Buffington ladder rear sight, left breech end of barrel marked with “V/P/eagle head” proofmarks, “US/MODEL/1884” marked low arch
breech block, federal eagle and shield next to “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” marked on the lock plate, boxed script “SWP/1887”
final inspection cartouche of Samuel W. Porter stamped on the left stock wrist, circled script “P” proof stamp behind
the lower tang, two-piece trigger guard and trigger bar assembly, serrated trigger, iron cleaning rod, and smooth
buttplate marked “US” on the heel.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retains 97% original blue finish, 90% plus vivid original case colors with minor fading at the top of the breech block,
attractive original grain in the excellent stock with some light handling marks, distinct edges and an exceptionally crisp cartouche and proof
stamp. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,500
LOT 179
Excellent Springfield U.S. Army Model 1871 Rolling Block Rifle with Sling - NSN, 50-70 U.S. Govt
cal., 36 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 10,000 U.S. Army Rolling Block
rifles were manufactured c. 1871-1872 by Springfield Armory under a royalty agreement with E. Remington & Sons. “MODEL 1871” marked
on the left of the receiver and a federal eagle above “U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1872” on the right. The upper tang is marked with the two-line Remington
patent date markings. Equipped with a blade/bayonet lug front sight and 1,000 yard folding ladder rear sight. Full length stock with two barrel bands and an
end cap, an oval script “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche stamped on the left of the wrist, and “US” marked on the buttplate tang. Includes a brown leather sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains its armory bright polished surfaces on the barrel and bands, 95% plus vivid original case colors on the frame, 85% oil quenched
blackened finish on the rear sight, a few patches of dried preservative grease, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is also excellent with distinct
edges, a few scattered light dents and handling marks, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 178
Rare U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Lee Vertical Action Trials
Rifle with Bayonet - NSN, 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). 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 “96” marked on the right
concealed area of the hammer and bottom of the breech block. The upper tang is stamped “U.S.” above “PAT. MAR. 16. 1875.” The smooth straight grip stock is
stamped with Springfield Armory’s Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin’s oval script “ESA” inspection cartouche on the left below the action, circled script “P” proof
stamped behind the trigger guard, and “US” marked buttplate tang. Includes a “US” marked socket bayonet.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% original blue finish on the barrel, 80% original oil-quenched casehardened finish on the receiver, hammer, and breech block, 30% plus original oil-
quenched casehardened finish on the trigger guard and buttplate, a bright loading slot on top of the breech block, with absolutely sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock
is fine as refinished, with a clear cartouche, a few minor handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine with some scattered freckling.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "Flayderman's
Guide", only 143 U.S.
Springfield Model 1875 Lee
rifles were manufactured.
188