Item Description
Original Item: Only One available. This is a wonderful example of the classic Springfield trapdoor rifle, it's breach block is marked:
MODEL
1884
This is a rare early Model 1884 as it was not later converted to have a ramrod bayonet. it is offered in very good to near excellent condition is this trapdoor rifle in 45-70 government caliber. Serial No 154831 with a legible SWP cartouche, overall very good metal finish with all proofs still present.
The butt plate is marked U.S. and both barrel bands are "U" marked. The rifle features an excellent un-sanded stock with visible cartouche. Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels, rear ladder sight and classic ramrod. Lock is marked with an eagle and "US 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 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.
Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre in the UK.
History of the Model 1884:
The model 1884 traces its roots back to the design of the Springfield 1873. Most of the changes that identify the model 1884 as a distinct model occurred either before or after 1884. The model 1884 incorporated a significant number of improvements that had been made between 1878 and 1879. It also featured a serrated trigger that had been incorporated into the Springfield rifle design in 1883.
The most dramatic change to the rifle design, which is often considered to be the identifying feature of the model 1884, was a new rear sight which had been designed by Lieutenant Colonel Adelbert R. Buffington of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. This sight however was not perfected until 1885.
The principal feature of this new sight was a rack and pinion style windage adjustment. Unlike previous sights, the base was not used for any position other than point blank. The raised leaf had graduations from 200 to 1400 yards. A new barrel band was also designed to accommodate this new sight so that it could lie flat in the point blank position.
Marksmen generally favored the new sight, but general troops were less enthusiastic about it and often considered it to be an annoyance.
The model 1884 was also produced in a carbine version. It was found that the rear sight could be easily damaged when removing the rifle from the carbine boot. The rear barrel band was therefore modified in 1890 to include a rear sight protector.
A round-rod bayonet model was also produced. This, like the Springfield model 1880, was an attempt to combine the ramrod (aka cleaning rod) and bayonet into a single unit. The model 1884 version included an improved retaining mechanism, as the model 1880's retaining mechanism had proved to be problematic.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
- Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre in the UK.
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 posses, 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. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. 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.
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