{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-model-1873-45-70-cadet-rifle-with-model-1879-rear-sight-and-standard-ramrod-serial-no-491492-made-circa-april-1890","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Model 1873 .45-70 Cadet Rifle with Model 1879 Rear Sight and Standard Ramrod, Serial No. 491492, Made Circa April 1890","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Model 1873 .45-70 Cadet Rifle, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e491492\u003c\/strong\u003e, in an interesting late production configuration incorporating a Model 1873 marked breech block, Model 1879 ramp style rear sight, early two piece trigger guard, serrated trigger, correct Cadet length long wrist stock, and standard ramrod. The serial number places manufacture around \u003cstrong\u003eApril 1890\u003c\/strong\u003e, making the survival of this earlier Model 1873 configuration particularly noteworthy and suggestive of arsenal assembly, reconditioning, or use of earlier pattern components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe breech block is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMODEL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1873\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle is chambered in .45-70 Government and has two barrel bands, two sling swivels, a Model 1879 rear sight, and a standard ramrod. The lock is marked with the Federal eagle and:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPRINGFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand was manufactured at the \u003cem\u003eUnited States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003c\/em\u003e, located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The buttplate is marked U.S., and both barrel bands carry U markings, which indicate the side that should be \"up\" when installed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSerial number \u003cstrong\u003e491492\u003c\/strong\u003e indicates production in approximately \u003cstrong\u003eApril 1890\u003c\/strong\u003e. By that period Springfield production had moved beyond the original Model 1873 configuration, making this example an unusual combination of earlier and later features. It retains a Model 1873 marked breech block and early pattern two piece trigger guard, while the trigger itself is the serrated type introduced with the later Model 1884 pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock is the long wrist pattern associated with early Model 1873 rifles and also used on Cadet rifles during their production. It is in good condition with an attractive aged color and shows the expected dents, scratches, and handling marks from long service. The wood sits noticeably below the level of the lock plate, suggesting that the stock was cleaned or refinished during a past reconditioning. Any original inspection cartouches have consequently been lost. The right side of the butt is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eR. S. COX\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metal remains in very good condition overall. Strong blue survives in protected areas, while other surfaces have worn toward a plum brown tone. No significant areas of old peppering or heavy oxidation are apparent. The breech block, receiver, and several other surfaces appear to have been reblued at some point in the distant past, consistent with the rifle having undergone refurbishment or reconditioning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional inspection and proof markings remain around the breech. A capital I is visible on top of the barrel, while the left side above the stock carries a somewhat faint sequence of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEagle Head\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1879 ramp style rear sight is fully functional. The upper right corner of the sliding leaf and the left side of the ramp are both marked \u003cstrong\u003eR\u003c\/strong\u003e, identifying the graduations as intended for a rifle rather than a carbine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle retains a correct standard ramrod with the complete ribbed cleaning jag section at the end. This detail confirms that it is not simply a shortened full length rifle cleaning rod adapted to fit the Cadet configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in very good condition with a mostly bright interior and clearly defined lands and grooves. There is some wear to the lands from service, but little evidence of significant old fouling or oxidation damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe breech block opens and closes correctly, and the firing pin remains intact and freely moving. The breech latch, extractor, and ejector are also present and operate during manual inspection. The action has not been tested with live or dummy cartridge brass. These observations describe only the rifle’s present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its Model 1873 marked breech block, late serial number 491492, long wrist Cadet stock, Model 1879 rifle rear sight, early two piece trigger guard, serrated trigger, standard ramrod, strong bore, and surviving Springfield Arsenal markings, this is a particularly interesting example of a late assembled or reconditioned Springfield Cadet Rifle. The probable old rebluing, stock refinishing, lost cartouches, service wear, and mixed early and later pattern components are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Springfield Trapdoor, Cadet Rifle, Indian Wars era arms, U.S. military rifle, or advanced .45-70 collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1890\u003cbr\u003eMaker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1873 Trapdoor Cadet Rifle\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: 491492\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .45-70 Government\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 29 5\/8 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 49 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore on the Trapdoor \"Cadet\" Rifles:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Cadet Model 1873 \u0026amp; 1884 Trapdoor Rifles are identical to the Standard Infantry Rifles, from the butt plate up to the rear or lower barrel band. The obvious difference is the overall length of the barrel, and thus the rifle. The standard Infantry barrel length was about 31 1\/2\" whereas the barrel on a Cadet Rifle was just about 2 1\/2 inches shorter coming in at around 29\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot a great deal but this did reduce the weight and presumably allowed raw Cadets to get used to the substantial .45-70 Caliber. Between 1874 the first year of the Standard Model 1873 Models were constructed, and 1886 when the Model of 1884 took over the ratio of Infantry Rifles manufactured was 20-1 TWENTY TO ONE. In fact in the 12 years 203,182 long Rifles to 9,188 Cadet Rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater Model 1884 Rifles and Cadet Rifles were still being made or converted from long to short until about 1900. The fact remains that the MODEL 1873 and 1884 Cadet Rifle is twenty times harder to find than the standard 1873 Infantry Rifle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis information all comes from a wonderful Book :- \u003cem\u003eTHE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD\u003c\/em\u003e written by Albert Frasca and Robert Hill in 1980. 381 pages of invaluable information, published by Springfield Publishing of Northridge, California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45776967041093,"sku":"ONJR26AURA09","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26AURA09.jpg?v=1789579435","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-model-1873-45-70-cadet-rifle-with-model-1879-rear-sight-and-standard-ramrod-serial-no-491492-made-circa-april-1890","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}