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LOT 276
U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Type III Trapdoor Officer’s Rifle - NSN, 45-70 Government
cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an original example of a late U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Type III Trapdoor Officer’s Rifle manufactured
in 1885. These rifles were a badge of rank and distinction for U.S. Calvary officers that had to be purchased directly from Springfield Armory on a special order basis only. There were three
different types, with a total of only 477 Officer’s Models reportedly manufactured, and only approximately 100 Type III Models. These scarce rifles all exhibit select walnut stocks with checkering on the
forend and pistol grip area and a separate detachable walnut pistol grip. The barrel band, receiver, breech block, lock plate, hammer, upper tang, and buttplate tang are all decorated with fine scroll engraving. The left side of the barrel is stamped with “V/P/eagle head/P” proofs. The top of the low-arch breechblock is marked “US/MODEL/1873” in three lines, and the lock plate is marked with the eagle and shield motif ahead of the hammer followed by “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” surrounded by scroll engraving. The barrel has a dovetail mounted folding Beach front sight that has a combination folding blade, and globe front sight with a buckhorn Model 1879 rifle rear sight. The top of the wrist of the stock has a filler in place of where a tang sight would typically reside. 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 serrated trigger. Oil finished walnut
half-stock with an engraved German silver forend tip, checkered wrist, forearm and detachable checkered walnut pistol grip, and
fitted with a hickory cleaning rod with a brass knurled front ferrule and slotted rear ferrule. The steel buttplate is stamped “US” on
top of the tang ahead of engraving. Correct boxed script “SWP/1885” (Samuel W. Porter) inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist and a
circled script “P” proofmark behind the checkered panel on bottom. These rifles all have a blued barrel and color casehardened receiver and components.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% professionally restored blue finish on the barrel and receiver and 40% original case colors strongest in protected areas with flaking and smooth gray and brown patinas on the balance. The well- executed scroll engraving is sharp and deep. The stock is fine as re-oiled, with well defined checkering, moderately worn on the forearm, a few minor chips and scratches, and a crisp cartouche. The set trigger does not function properly, otherwise mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 277
Exceptional Remington-Keene Magazine Bolt Action Carbine in Desirable .45-70 - NSN, 45-70 Government cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened/bright finish, walnut stock. E. Remington & Sons manufactured approximately 5,000 Keene magazine rifles (in all configurations) between
1880-1883. This model was the first magazine fed rifle produced in quantity by Remington. This design was Remington’s first attempt at producing repeating rifles to compete with
Winchester’s lever actions. It was designed by John W. Keene (d. 1880) of New Jersey in the 1870s. They were entered by Remington in the 1878 and 1881 magazine rifle trials. This example
has a shorter barrel than any of the standard variants. A tubular magazine and carbine style forward barrel band like those used on classic lever action saddle ring carbines and many shotguns is
fitted below the barrel that is loaded using a loading gate at the bottom of the action much like standard slide action shotguns. The hammer at the back of the bolt must be manually cocked for each shot.
Production was limited in part due to competition with the Winchester-Hotchkiss rifles as well as the more modern Remington-Lee. They were used by the Indian Police and others in the West in the late 19th century.
Features a straight grip stock and round barrel with fixed front and folding ladder rear sights. The bolt has the Remington address and Keene patent markings, and the “45/70” caliber designation is marked on the left of the receiver. A circular collection tag stamped “0264” is hanging from the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% plus original blue finish with scattered mild freckling and smooth brown patina on the balance, 70% plus vivid case colors on the hammer, smooth gray patina on the some of the exposed surfaces of the bright components and scattered light pitting on the bolt handle, with sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The stock is excellent with a few nicks and handling marks, and distinct edges overall. Mechanically fine.
238 Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500