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LOT 1098
Muzzleloading Cannon
Reproduction of a Hotchkiss
Model 1875 Mountain Gun
with Carriage - , 1 1/4 inch cal.,
39 inch round bbl., black finish.
This is a full scale functional
muzzleloading cannon made to resemble a Hotchkiss Model
1875 mountain gun; a breech loading gun originally designed
by Benjamin B. Hotchkiss and used by the U.S. Army during the
American Indian Wars, Spanish-American War and Philippine-
American War. The tube appears to be made of iron, the right
side trunnion is marked “03” with no other visible markings
on the tube, with a blade sight at the right center area of the
tube, adjustable post rear sight, and an open touch hole on top.
The iron carriage has an oval brass plaque on top that reads
“HOTCHKISS’ PATENT/PARIS*1885” around a “1”. The tube measures
approximately 45 inches, with a 39 inch inside bore length, with
overall measurements including the carriage approximately 77
inches long by 41 inches wide by 39 inches tall.
CONDITION: Fine, retains most of the black painted finish with a
few spots of flaking. Carriage is also fine with most of the green
painted finish and a few spots of flaking.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1097
Excellent U.S. Springfield
Model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial
no. 421538, 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 1888. 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/1888” 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, and smooth
buttplate marked “US” on the heel.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% original blue finish with a few small
patches of very minor surface freckling, and 95% vivid original case colors
on the breech block. Stock is very fine as re-oiled, with some light handling
marks, distinct edges and an exceptionally crisp cartouche and proof stamp.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1096
Excellent U.S.
Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor
Rifle Dated 1887 - Serial no. 382606, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an
excellent 1887 production Model 1884 Trapdoor rifle. The left rear of the barrel is marked with the “V/P/eagle head”, with a “P” below the
marking and an “A” on the top of the barrel. The top of the breech block is marked “US/MODEL/1884”. The lock is the correct, late three-click tumbler
version that is marked with the federal eagle and shield and “U.S./ SPRINGFIELD”. It is fitted with a two-
piece trigger guard bow and plate; the late style buttplate without a trap, and long range Buffington
rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation with a blade front sight. The stock is the correct full
length version that is stamped with a boxed script “SWP/1887” cartouche on the left wrist and a circled script “P” proof behind the
lower tang. The rifle is complete with an original cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Excellent with 97% of the original blue finish remaining overall with the breech end of the barrel just starting to brown
out around the rear sight area. The breech block retains 95% of its vivid original case colors with a lever rub mark on the firing pin
housing hump. The stock is also excellent with a really nice medium brown oil finish overall, showing some minor handling marks on
the sides of the forearm area with some light scratches on the underside and rear area of the buttstock. The cartouche and proof are crisp and sharp. Mechanically functions.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1095
Rare U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Lee Vertical
Action Trials Rifle - 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 “19”
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, a small “J” above a
circled script “P” proof stamped behind the trigger guard, and “US” marked buttplate tang. Includes a brown leather sling.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% original blue finish on the barrel, 85% original oil-quenched casehardened finish on the receiver, hammer, breech block, and trigger guard, with 98%
refinished blue on the buttplate, a bright loading slot on top of the breech block, a few patches of light pitting, with sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is also very fine,
with defined edges, some scattered light dents and scratches, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "Flayderman's
Guide", only 143 U.S.
Springfield Model 1875 Lee
rifles were manufactured.
108