Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1888 .45-70 Government Round Rod Bayonet Rifle, serial number 543336, manufactured in 1892. It retains its integral round rod bayonet, Buffington rear sight, crisp SWP / 1892 stock cartouche, excellent bright bore, and an especially attractive figured walnut stock with strong chatoyancy through the wrist and forward portion.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Springfield Trapdoor rifle was the principal U.S. Army single shot service rifle of the late 19th century. The Model 1888 represented the final major development of the system and incorporated an integral round rod bayonet that also served as a cleaning rod. As is correct for the Model 1888, the breech block is marked:

U.S.
MODEL
1884

Springfield continued using the Model 1884 breech block marking on Model 1888 rifles rather than introducing a new Model 1888 stamp.

The serial number:

543336

places manufacture in approximately February 1892 according to the supplied U.S. Government production records. The left side of the stock carries a crisp boxed inspection cartouche:

SWP
1892

for Samuel W. Porter, Springfield Armory’s Master Armorer and Chief Inspector during this period. A faint stylized P within a circle is also present beneath the wrist, indicating that the rifle passed all of its overpressure proof testing.

The lock plate is marked with the Federal eagle and:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD

indicating manufacture at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The breech end of the barrel retains additional inspection and proof markings, including a capital A on top and:

V
P
Eagle's Head
P

on the left side above the stock line. Both barrel bands retain their U markings, and the butt plate tang is stamped U.S.

The metalwork is in very good overall condition and shows wear consistent with age, service, and past cleaning, with no obvious evidence of major restoration. The barrel has faded toward a plum tone in areas, while the receiver and breech block display a mottled patina from the fading of their original case hardened finish. Portions of original blue remain on the fittings and barrel bands.

The bore is excellent, with a bright surface, crisp lands and grooves, and visible machining marks remaining within the grooves. Only light wear is present, with no significant old fouling or oxidation noted. The lock retains all three positions, holds at half cock, and releases at full cock. The breech block opens and closes correctly, the firing pin is present and moves freely, and the extractor and ejector are mechanically present and functioning, though they have not been tested with live cartridge cases. These observations describe only the rifle’s present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

The integral round rod bayonet operates correctly and retains intact threads at its end. Its finish shows expected wear, and the muzzle locking mechanism remains functional. The extreme end of the rod has been altered slightly and now shows three grooves rather than four.

The Buffington rear sight remains complete and functional. Elevation adjustment operates correctly, while the windage adjustment is extremely stiff. The upper right corner of the sight leaf is marked R, indicating rifle graduations rather than carbine graduations. The snap-on sight hood is absent, as is commonly encountered.

The walnut stock is in very good condition and remains fully proud around the lock plate, indicating that it has not been heavily sanded during a later arsenal refinish. It has developed an attractive red brown color from age and oiling and appears to have been waxed at some point. Particularly notable is the strong figure and chatoyancy running from the wrist forward toward the area between the barrel bands. There are scattered service dents and light scratches, but no cracks or major repairs are noted.

The buttstock retains its original tool compartment beneath the rotating butt plate door. The compartment, intended for small maintenance tools and a stuck cartridge extractor, is currently empty. Both sling swivels and the stacking swivel remain present.

With its 1892 production date, matching SWP / 1892 inspection cartouche, excellent bore, functional round rod bayonet system, complete Buffington sight, strong surviving markings, and unusually attractive figured walnut stock, this is a particularly appealing late production Springfield Trapdoor. The missing sight hood, very stiff windage adjustment, empty buttstock tool compartment, and slight modification to the end of the bayonet rod are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Springfield Trapdoor, Model 1888, Indian Wars era, Spanish-American War era, or advanced U.S. martial rifle collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1892
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1888 Trapdoor rifle
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 52 Inches
Action type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.