Original Item: Only One available. Here we have a unique example of a Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Rifle, which was modified during the 20th century by film armorers to become a "Jezail-style" prop gun. Sometimes spelled Jezzail (from the Arabic), these were a simple, cost-efficient and typically handmade muzzle-loading long arm commonly used in the Middle East region in the past. The action of the gun was left alone, with the modifications mostly confined to the stock. The buttstock had a large piece of wood attached by dowels, and a large flat wooden butt plate installed. It was then carved to have the typical flared shape of a Jezail, and it also had white designs painted on both sides, which are still partly retained. The front of the cleaning rod was also extended to make it a more simple trumpet shape.

Plentiful on the surplus market, Springfield trapdoors were very popular to modify into prop guns firing blanks, and we have had several examples previously of film prop guns made using these. Sometimes we see these with the hammer and even the breech block and lock plate altered to look like a flintlock, however that was not done on this example, typical of a prop used in the background.

The rifle has a relatively clear inscription on the left side of the stock, scratched into the wood, which reads as follows:-

EUGENE KEARNEY
“BEAU GESTE”
3 / 12 / 39

Beau Geste is a 1939 American adventure film starring Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy, and Susan Hayward. Directed and produced by William A. Wellman, the screenplay was adapted by Robert Carson, based on the 1924 novel of the same title by P. C. Wren. This work details the adventures of three English brothers who enlist separately in the French Foreign Legion following the theft of a valuable jewel from the country house of a relative. Unfortunately there is no documentation to come with the prop gun, and we were not able to locate any scenes where it is visible. We have tried to locate information on Eugene Kearney, but were not able to.

The metal components of the rifle show wear, but are for the most part unaltered. The breech block still has the original markings clearly present:-

Offered in very good condition is this film prop modified trapdoor rifle in .45-70 government caliber, with Serial #454165 stamped on the rear of the receiver, which indicates production in approximately August 1889, per U.S. Government records. The left side of the stock still retains a partial "boxed" government inspector SWP cartouche, though the date underneath is completely removed.

The rifle has overall worn metalwork, showing a matte gray finish from use and cleaning, but no major rust issues. There is still a good amount of the original bluing present on the lock and hammer. It has the model 1884 serrated trigger and Buffington sight fitted, along with the correct lower barrel band. However, the stock is in the 1873 configuration, with the standard ramrod and two part trigger guard.

The bore is in good condition, showing a partly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is some overall fouling and oxidation, particularly near the muzzle, so it does not look to have properly cleaned after use for a time.

The bore is in very good condition, showing a bright finish with clear lands and grooves. We can see a bit of overall haze, particularly near the muzzle, and there is some wear to the lands, so it did see service, but was properly cleaned after use. The breech block has an intact freely moving firing pin and moves correctly, and the latch is fully functional. The extractor and ejector are also still present and functional, though we have not tested the action with real brass. The rear sight is present, however it shows bending to the sight leaf, the windage adjustment is frozen, and the nut that secures the sliding range adjustment is missing. The trigger guard sling swivel is present, while the upper sling swivel and stacking swivel have been removed, and the bolster ground off. There is a hole through the stock where a sling swivel was installed, now missing.

The both barrel bands are U marked, and the lock is marked with a Federal Eagle to the left of U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, indicating that it was manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. We checked the lock action, and it holds at the first two positions, only firing when fully cocked. The elegant script SWP belongs to Samuel W. Porter, who was the Master Armorer and Chief Inspector of Springfield Armory from 15 September 1879 to 18 June 1894. A VERY faint partial stylized P in a circle under the wrist of the stock indicates that the rifle passed all of its overpressure proof testing. Additional marks of interest include somewhat faint inspectors' and proof marks around the breech end of the barrel: a capital A on top; a V over a P over an eagle's head over another P on the left side just above the stock. The upper right corner of the Buffington sight leaf is marked R to indicate that the sight graduations are for a rifle and not a carbine.

This Springfield Model 1884 trapdoor rifle was substantially altered into a jezail-style theatrical prop while retaining its original action, lock, breech block, Buffington rear sight, and much of its military hardware. The added flared butt, painted decoration, modified cleaning rod, removed sling fittings, and other stock alterations reflect its later prop configuration. The scratched inscription naming Eugene Kearney, Beau Geste, and the date March 12, 1939 provides an intriguing period association with the film, although no production records or screen match have been found to confirm its actual use. Mechanically, the lock, breech block, latch, extractor, and ejector remain functional, while the bent rear sight, frozen windage adjustment, missing sight nut, absent swivels, worn finish, and bore oxidation are fully evident. It remains an unusual example of a surplus U.S. military rifle adapted for the motion-picture industry, with an inscription deserving further research.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1889 - modified later
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1844 Trapdoor
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 51 1/4 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.