Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Model 1888 .45-70 round rod bayonet rifle, serial number 519904, manufactured circa July 1891. It retains the correct Model 1884 marked breech block, Buffington rear sight, functional sliding round rod bayonet, 1891 SWP stock cartouche, and the full complement of late Trapdoor Springfield features associated with the Model 1888 pattern.

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 U.S. Springfield Trapdoor rifle family entered service in .45-70 Government during the 1870s and underwent a series of gradual mechanical and sighting improvements over the following two decades. One of the most distinctive late developments was the integral round rod bayonet system, which allowed the rod beneath the barrel to serve both as a bayonet and as a cleaning rod.

This example is best identified as a Model 1888 round rod bayonet rifle. The breech block is correctly marked:

U.S.
MODEL
1884

The Model 1884 marking on the breech block is standard on Model 1888 rifles and should not be taken to mean that the complete rifle is a Model 1884.

The serial number is:

519904

which places production in approximately July 1891 according to period Springfield Arsenal production records.

The left side of the stock bears the boxed inspection cartouche:

SWP / 1891

for Samuel W. Porter, who served as Master Armorer and Chief Inspector at Springfield Arsenal during this period. A faint stylized P inside a circle beneath the wrist indicates that the barrel passed its overpressure testing at arsenal.

The lock plate is marked with the Federal eagle and:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD

The rifle was manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The breech area retains the usual inspection and proof markings, including a capital I on top of the barrel and:

V
P
Eagle Head
P

on the left side above the stock line.

The Buffington rear sight remains present and complete. Both the elevation and windage adjustments function during manual inspection. The upper right corner of the sight leaf is marked:

R

indicating rifle graduations rather than carbine graduations.

The round rod bayonet remains present and functional. Its finish is worn and aged, and the threaded end remains intact. The retaining mechanism at the muzzle operates correctly but is somewhat stiff from oxidation.

The metalwork has aged to a mottled gray and brown patina, with the original blue and case hardened finishes largely faded. There is no widespread heavy pitting, though the receiver and barrel show several linear grooves that may be old clamp or vise marks associated with past barrel work.

The bore is in very good condition with a mostly bright interior and clearly defined lands and grooves. There is evidence of old fouling and oxidation within the grooves, now largely cleaned away, along with some additional oxidation near the muzzle from environmental exposure.

The lock presently holds correctly at half cock and releases from full cock. The breech block opens and closes properly, the firing pin remains present and moves freely, and the extractor and ejector are mechanically present and function during manual inspection. They have not been tested with live cartridge cases. These observations describe only the rifle’s current mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

The walnut stock is in very good service used condition and remains fully proud around the lock plate, showing no evidence of having been heavily sanded flush during later refinishing. The stock has an attractive red brown color with visible grain, along with normal dents, handling marks, and service wear. There are worn finger grooves beneath the fore stock from repeated handling, and there is some wood loss around the upper barrel band adjacent to the round rod bayonet channel.

Both barrel bands are marked U. The rifle retains two sling swivels as well as the stacking swivel. The butt plate tang is marked:

U.S.

and also carries an M and the number 63 oriented in opposite directions. The meaning of these additional markings is presently unknown.

The butt stock retains the standard tool compartment with rotating butt plate door. The compartment was intended to hold the combination take down tool and stuck cartridge extractor, though the compartment is currently empty.

With its 1891 production date, SWP / 1891 cartouche, Model 1884 marked breech block, Buffington rear sight, functional round rod bayonet, complete late Trapdoor configuration, and strong bore, this is a solid example of the U.S. Springfield Model 1888 rifle. The faded metal finish, possible clamp marks, muzzle oxidation, stock wear, wood loss near the upper band, stiff bayonet retaining mechanism, and empty butt trap are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Springfield Trapdoor, Model 1888, .45-70 U.S. martial rifle, Indian Wars era, or late 19th century American military firearms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1891
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1888 Trapdoor Rifle
Serial No.: 504543
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
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.