{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-model-1884-1888-round-rod-bayonet-rifle-made-in-july-1891-serial-no-519904","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 \/ 1888 Round Rod Bayonet Rifle Made in July 1891, Serial No. 519904","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Model 1888 .45-70 round rod bayonet rifle, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e519904\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured circa \u003cstrong\u003eJuly 1891\u003c\/strong\u003e. It retains the correct Model 1884 marked breech block, Buffington rear sight, functional sliding round rod bayonet, \u003cstrong\u003e1891 SWP\u003c\/strong\u003e stock cartouche, and the full complement of late Trapdoor Springfield features associated with the Model 1888 pattern.\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 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is best identified as a Model 1888 round rod bayonet rifle. The breech block is correctly 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\u003e1884\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe serial number is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e519904\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhich places production in approximately \u003cstrong\u003eJuly 1891\u003c\/strong\u003e according to period Springfield Arsenal production records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the stock bears the boxed inspection cartouche:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSWP \/ 1891\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003efor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock plate is marked with the Federal eagle and:\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\u003eThe rifle was manufactured at the \u003cem\u003eUnited States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003c\/em\u003e, in Springfield, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe breech area retains the usual inspection and proof markings, including a capital I on top of the barrel and:\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\u003eon the left side above the stock line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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:\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 carbine graduations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth barrel bands are marked U. The rifle retains two sling swivels as well as the stacking swivel. The butt plate tang is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand also carries an \u003cstrong\u003eM\u003c\/strong\u003e and the number \u003cstrong\u003e63\u003c\/strong\u003e oriented in opposite directions. The meaning of these additional markings is presently unknown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1891\u003cbr\u003eMaker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1888 Trapdoor Rifle\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: 504543\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .45-70 Government\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\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\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":45819720466501,"sku":"ONJR26AULC049","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/71FE7896-4A50-49B2-984B-2BCE243CFB3F.jpg?v=1790017004","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-model-1884-1888-round-rod-bayonet-rifle-made-in-july-1891-serial-no-519904","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}