{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-model-1884-rifle-serial-no-458382","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Rifle - Serial No 458382","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One available. This is a wonderful example of the classic Springfield trapdoor rifle, it's breach block is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eU.S.\n\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eMODEL \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1884\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the wood stock bears a military inspector's \"SWP\" cartouche dated 1884! The rifle is in very nice condition with great amounts of the original finish remaining and looks as if it has come right out of very long term storage. The Trapdoor Springfield Rifle 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a real peach and well worth placing in any U.S. Military Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in very good\/excellent condition is this trapdoor rifle in 45-70 government caliber. \u003cb\u003eSerial #458382\u003c\/b\u003e with a legible \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e SWP 1884\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e cartouche, overall very good metal finish with all proofs still present. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe butt plate is marked “U.S.” and both barrel bands are \"U\" marked. The rifle features an excellent un-sanded stock with visible SWP 1884. Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels, Buffington sight, sliding ramrod. Lock is marked with an eagle and \"US SPRINGFIELD”, manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield Massachusetts.\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 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory of the Model 1884:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarksmen generally favored the new sight, but general troops were less enthusiastic about it and often considered it to be an annoyance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":26168230085,"sku":"ON9232","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/on9232__01.jpg?v=1601357456","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-model-1884-rifle-serial-no-458382","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}