{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-model-1884-trapdoor-rifle-with-standard-cleaning-rod-and-bayonet-1887-production-serial-no-374342","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle with Standard Cleaning Rod and Bayonet - 1887 Production - Serial No. 374342","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One available. This is a nicely matured example of the classic Springfield trapdoor rifle, complete with an M1873 original bayonet. This was the weapon used, in its carbine form, by the troopers of the 7th Cavalry that met their fate at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. The breech block is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eU.S.\u003cbr\u003eMODEL\u003cbr\u003e1884\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1884 the integral Round Rod Bayonet was designed, which could double as a cleaning rod, a development that met with very limited success. However, it was not fitted to all rifles, and not usually seen until at least 1886. It was finally replaced in 1892 with the .30-40 caliber Krag bolt action magazine rifle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModel 1884 rifles saw service in the Spanish American War. The regular army was issued the new Krag rifles and the guard units received the trapdoor. There are a number of stereopticon pictures that show guard units armed with of 1884 rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in very good condition is this trapdoor rifle in .45-70 government caliber, with Serial #\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e374342\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e stamped on the rear of the receiver, which indicates production in approximately \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeptember 1887\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, per U.S. Government records. The left side of the stock still retains a very faded \"boxed\" government inspector \u003cem\u003e[SWP \/ 18]\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e?0\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e cartouche, which only has the last two numbers of the date partially legible. The last number is definitely \"0\", but we cannot tell if the number before it is an \"8\" or a \"9\". This most could mean that the stock was replaced, or that the rifle was sent back to arsenal and re-inspected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle has an overall worn metal finish, showing a matured brown patina overall, with some areas of past peppering, now partly removed. The butt plate in particular shows some past peppery oxidation. 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, which is correct for this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are some dents, scratches, and small missing chunks in the wood, but no major damage, and it has the lovely red brown color of aged and oiled walnut. The stock is still partially proud over the lock plate, with the tail near the wrist slightly above. This area is one of the first to see wear, and with the faded cartouches, it looks to have seen a good amount of use. There are also some finger grooves worn into the bottom of the fore stock area. We did see that there is a rack number \u003cstrong\u003eS. F. \/ O 128\u003c\/strong\u003e on the left side of the stock. We can see a bit of figuring on the rear left of the stock, and overall it is quite attractive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 works well, with an easily adjustable range and windage, something we do not often see.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cleaning rod is in very good condition, showing wear to the finish, and it still retains the ribbed area on the end. The sling swivels and stacking swivel are all present and movable, and the Buffington long range sight is easily adjustable for range and windage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe both barrel bands are \u003cstrong\u003eU\u003c\/strong\u003e marked, and the butt plate tang is marked with the correct \u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e stamp. Metal finish is a nice aged brown patina, with no signs of major oxidation. Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels with stacking swivel, \u003cb\u003eBuffington sight\u003c\/b\u003e, with standard ramrod. Lock is marked with a \u003cstrong\u003eFederal Eagle\u003c\/strong\u003e to the left of \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. \/ SPRINGFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating that it was manufactured at the \u003cem\u003eUnited States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003c\/em\u003e, in Springfield, Massachusetts. We checked the lock action, and it holds at the first two positions, only firing when fully cocked.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 stylized \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003eA \u003c\/strong\u003eon top; a \u003cstrong\u003eV\u003c\/strong\u003e over a \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e over an \u003cstrong\u003eeagle's head\u003c\/strong\u003e over another \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e on the left side just above the stock. The upper right corner of the Buffington sight leaf is marked \u003cstrong\u003eR\u003c\/strong\u003e to indicate that the sight graduations are for a rifle and not a carbine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included bayonet is the classic 1873 style triangular socket bayonet marked \u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e, on the ricasso, and it is in very good condition, with much of the original blued finish still present. We did note that the blade is about 1 1\/2\" shorter than it should be, though it does not look to have been shortened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Springfield trapdoor rifle retains its Buffington rear sight, standard cleaning rod, U-marked barrel bands, movable sling and stacking swivels, and a functional action with intact extractor and ejector. The bright bore with clearly defined rifling is particularly noteworthy, while the worn brown finish, faded SWP cartouche, rack marking, stock wear, and scattered oxidation reflect extensive service and handling. The included U.S.-marked Model 1873 socket bayonet retains much of its original blued finish, although the blade measures approximately 1½ inches shorter than standard for reasons that remain unclear. Together, they form a well-preserved example of a late 19th-century U.S. service rifle in the conventional cleaning-rod configuration, accompanied by a correct-period bayonet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Rifle):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1887\u003cbr\u003eMaker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1844 Trapdoor Carbine\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .45-70 Government\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 32 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 52 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\u003eSpecifications (Bayonet):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade Length: 16 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Triangular\u003cbr\u003eSocket Length: 3\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 19 1\/2“\u003cbr\u003e\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":45390376632389,"sku":"ONJR26MARA008","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/3B14A27D-CA0D-453D-B247-941844FFC0B2.jpg?v=1784743360","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-model-1884-trapdoor-rifle-with-standard-cleaning-rod-and-bayonet-1887-production-serial-no-374342","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}