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Item:
ON1444

Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Rifle made in 1886 with Bayonet and Scabbard - Serial No 309626

Item Description

Original Item: Only One available. The U.S. breech loading Springfield "trapdoor" rifle was introduced in 1873 in .45-70 caliber. Basically it was the rifle the U.S. Army used to open the West and Springfield trapdoor carbines were used by Custer's Cavalry at the massacre at The Little Big Horn. This excellent example has the breech block marking:

MODEL
1884

In 1884 the integral Round Rod Bayonet was designed, which could double as a cleaning rod, a development that met with very limited success. There were other changes as well, such as a simplified trigger guard, but these were not immediately instituted on all guns, which is why this model 1884 does not have the rod bayonet nor the simplified trigger guard.

Model 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.

Offered in very good condition is this trapdoor rifle in 45-70 government caliber. Serial #309626 indicates manufacture in 1886, with a faint government inspector SWP / 1886 cartouche, indicating inspection in the same year. Original metal finish with all proofs still present. The butt plate is marked U.S. and both barrel bands are U marked. Hardware is in solid condition, with most of the original finish remaining.  The bore is in excellent condition, with sharp lands and grooves and a  bright finish. The cleaning rod / bayonet is in very good shape, intact with a good deal of the original finish.

The rifle features an nice stock, though it definitely has been sanded down and refinished in areas around the lock and trigger guard. It has some scratches and dings, as well as wear from the years, but has a great finish and nice dark brown color.

Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels with stacking swivel, Buffington sight, sliding ramrod bayonet. Lock is marked with an eagle and U.S. SPRINGFIELD manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield Massachusetts.

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 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 inspectors' and proof marks around the breech end of the barrel: a capital A on top; and a V over a P over an eagle's head over another P on the left side just above the stock. 

The included socket bayonet has a good deal of the original blued finish, and is marked U.S. on the ricasso. Overall it is in good condition, and attaches well to the rifle. The scabbard is dent free, and has almost all of the original finish left. The attached swivel frog is solid, though the leather has cracked a git, and has a U.S. marked rosette on the hinge joint. The brass belt hook is in very good condition.

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.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1886
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

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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