{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-model-1884-trapdoor-45-70-rifle-with-standard-cleaning-rod-and-excellent-bore-1885-serial-no-282225","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor .45-70 Rifle with Standard Cleaning Rod and Excellent Bore, 1885, Serial No. 282225","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor .45-70 Government rifle, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e282225\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured in approximately \u003cstrong\u003eMay 1885\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\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 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.\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\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe serial number is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e282225\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhich places manufacture at approximately \u003cstrong\u003eMay 1885\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original cleaning rod remains present and is in excellent condition, including the cleaning jag at the end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth barrel bands are marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buttplate tang is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock plate carries a Federal eagle to the left of:\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\u003eidentifying manufacture at the \u003cem\u003eUnited States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts\u003c\/em\u003e. The mechanism functions correctly, holding at half cock and releasing properly from full cock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional barrel markings around the breech include a somewhat faint capital:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eon the top of the barrel, together with the following marks on the left side just above the stock line:\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 upper right corner of the Buffington rear sight leaf is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eindicating rifle graduations rather than the carbine sight pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1885\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .45-70 Government\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 32 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 52 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45528829132869,"sku":"ONSV24OFS162","price":1095.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24OFS162.jpg?v=1786396093","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-model-1884-trapdoor-45-70-rifle-with-standard-cleaning-rod-and-excellent-bore-1885-serial-no-282225","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}