{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-model-1884-round-rod-bayonet-rifle-made-in-1891-serial-no-514584","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Round Rod Bayonet Rifle made in 1891 - Serial No 514584","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 example has the breech block marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003cbr\u003eMODEL\u003cbr\u003e1884\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1884 the integral Round Rod Bayonet was introduced, which could double as a cleaning rod, a development that met with very limited success. It was finally replaced in 1892 with the .30-40 caliber Krag bolt action magazine rifle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModel 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1884 round rod bayonet rifle was Springfield's third attempt at a rod bayonet system on a trapdoor rifle. They had used the triangular rod system on the Model 1880 and some Model 1882 rifles. The Model 1884 RRB rifle utilized a different, but no more reliable mechanism for retaining the rod. Because the small locking \"fingers\" are not clearly visible, the gun has been nicknamed \"flatlatch.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in very good condition is this trapdoor rifle in 45-70 government caliber. Serial #\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e514584\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eindicates manufacture in 1891, which technically makes it a model 1888 according to some sources. This rifle has all of the gradual \"updates\" that were made to the original design. The left side of the stock bears a crisp government inspector \u003cb\u003eSWP \/ 1891 \u003c\/b\u003ecartouche, indicating final inspection in the same year. Original metal finish is still good, with a lovely worn blued patina on most surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardware is in very good condition, with no signs of structural issues, and the original finish well retained. The bore is in very good lightly used condition, with clear lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish. There is just a bit of fouling and oxidation in areas. The cleaning rod \/ bayonet is in good shape, with intact threads, and a nice blued finish. Another nice feature on this example is the butt stock tool compartment, which is covered by a rotating door on the butt plate. This was used to store the take down tool and stuck cartridge extractor. Unfortunately this compartment is empty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock is in very good condition, and is still fully proud over the lock plate, indicating the stock has not been worn down or reconditioned. There are a few dents and small chips from service, but it's got a lovely color and patina, only achieved from decades of use and cleaning and polishing. Untouched original stocks like these are very hard to find. The left side of the butt stock looks to have a rack number stenciled onto it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCenter fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels with stacking swivel, \u003cb\u003eBuffington sight\u003c\/b\u003e, sliding ramrod bayonet. Lock is marked with an eagle and \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. \/ SPRINGFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating manufacture by Springfield Armory, Springfield Massachusetts. The lock is fully functional, and the cartridge extractor is intact and functional, though we have not tested it on spent brass.\u003cbr\u003e\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 very faint stylized \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003eI\u003c\/strong\u003e on top; and a \u003cstrong\u003eV\u003c\/strong\u003e over a \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e over an \u003cstrong\u003eEagle's head\u003c\/strong\u003e over another \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e on the left side just above the stock. The upper right corner of the Buffington sight leaf is marked \u003cstrong\u003eR\u003c\/strong\u003e to indicate that the sight graduations are for a rifle and not a carbine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great chance to pickup a very good example of the United States last single shot rifle! Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1891\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\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39605908242501,"sku":"ON21113","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ON21113__04.jpg?v=1636148316","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-model-1884-round-rod-bayonet-rifle-made-in-1891-serial-no-514584","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}