Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor .45-70 Government rifle, serial number 282225, manufactured in approximately May 1885. It remains in very good service used condition with a pleasing aged patina, standard cleaning rod, Model 1884 serrated trigger, Buffington rear sight, two barrel bands, both sling swivels, stacking swivel, and an excellent bright bore with crisp rifling.

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 family formed the backbone of the U.S. Army’s single shot breechloading rifle system during the later 19th century. Earlier .45-70 Trapdoor carbines were famously carried by elements of the 7th Cavalry during the 1876 Little Bighorn campaign. The later Model 1884 incorporated refinements including the improved Buffington rear sight and serrated trigger. Trapdoor rifles remained in service into the 1890s and were still issued to some militia and guard formations during the Spanish-American War period after the regular Army had begun transitioning to the Krag rifle.

The breech block is marked:

U.S.
MODEL
1873

This earlier style breech block marking is noteworthy on an 1885 manufactured rifle. It may represent use of an earlier component during production or a later replacement, but without documentation its exact history cannot be determined.

The serial number is:

282225

which places manufacture at approximately May 1885 according to the supplied U.S. Government production records. This rifle retains the standard cleaning rod configuration and was not later converted to the round rod bayonet arrangement associated with later Trapdoor developments.

The rifle has the correct Model 1884 serrated trigger and improved Buffington rear sight, along with the appropriate lower barrel band. The stock follows the earlier Model 1873 style configuration with standard cleaning rod and two piece trigger guard, a combination appropriate to this transitional production period.

The metal surfaces retain a good overall aged finish with visible service wear and evidence of earlier exposure to the elements. There is scattered old peppering on the barrel, rear sight, receiver, and breech block, but no major deep rust pitting is noted. Past cleaning has softened the appearance of the serial number and several barrel proofs, although they remain visible under magnification.

The walnut stock is in very good condition with an attractive red brown color from age and oiling. It shows the expected dents, dings, and scratches from military service but no major cracks, repairs, or large areas of wood loss. The wood remains somewhat proud of the lock plate, suggesting that it has not been heavily sanded or excessively worn down. No stock cartouches are visible, leading to the possibility that the stock may be an arsenal replacement, though this cannot be confirmed.

The bore is in excellent condition, with bright surfaces and crisp lands and grooves. Only light wear is visible, with no significant evidence of old fouling or heavy oxidation. The breech block opens and closes correctly and locks when returned to battery. The firing pin remains intact and moves freely. The extractor is present and appears functional, as does the ejector, although neither has been tested with live or empty cartridge cases. The Buffington rear sight is complete and both range and windage adjustments move properly.

The original cleaning rod remains present and is in excellent condition, including the cleaning jag at the end.

Both barrel bands are marked:

U

The buttplate tang is marked:

U.S.

The lock plate carries a Federal eagle to the left of:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD

identifying manufacture at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts. The mechanism functions correctly, holding at half cock and releasing properly from full cock.

Additional barrel markings around the breech include a somewhat faint capital:

I

on the top of the barrel, together with the following marks on the left side just above the stock line:

V
P
Eagle Head
P

The upper right corner of the Buffington rear sight leaf is marked:

R

indicating rifle graduations rather than the carbine sight pattern.

With its May 1885 production date, serial number 282225, standard cleaning rod configuration, Model 1884 serrated trigger, Buffington sight, intact Springfield markings, very good walnut stock, and excellent bright bore, this is a particularly appealing example of the classic U.S. Trapdoor service rifle. The earlier MODEL 1873 marked breech block, faint proofs, old metal peppering, past cleaning, absent stock cartouches, and possible arsenal replacement stock are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a U.S. Indian Wars, Springfield Armory, .45-70 military rifle, Spanish-American War era, or advanced American martial arms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1885
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

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 not 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 most US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for 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.