{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-model-1884-round-rod-bayonet-rifle-made-in-1893-serial-no-562495","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Round Rod Bayonet Rifle made in 1893 - Serial No 562495","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\u003e562495 \u003c\/strong\u003eindicates manufacture in 1893, with a clear government inspector \u003cb\u003eSWP \/ 1893 \u003c\/b\u003ecartouche, indicating final inspection in the same year. Original metal finish has been worn to a nice gray patina with all proofs still present, and a bit of peppering in places. The butt plate is marked \u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e, and both barrel bands are \u003cstrong\u003eU\u003c\/strong\u003e marked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardware is in solid condition, with no signs of structural issues. The bore is in very good condition, with clear lands and grooves, and a bright finish, with some dark areas on one of the lands in one are.  The cleaning rod \/ bayonet is in good shape, with intact threads, though the finish is quite worn.  It has some flattening at the end, and is quite difficult to move in and out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnother excellent and rarely seen feature on this example is the butt stock tool compartment, which is covered by a rotating door on the butt plate. We have had many Springfield Trapdoor rifles, but only some have had this feature. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock is in good condition, with a nice color and no major issues. The stock does have small gouges, scratches and dings from service. The stock is still partly proud over the lock plate, so it does not appear to have been sanded or refinished much. It has the look of a nice used stock that was well cared for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCenter fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, one sling swivel remaining, \u003cb\u003eBuffington sight\u003c\/b\u003e, sliding ramrod bayonet. Unfortunately for some reason a previous owner used bolt cutters to remove the upper sling swivel and stacking swivel. Lock is marked with an eagle and \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. SPRINGFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e 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. \u003cspan\u003eA 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.\u003c\/span\u003e Additional marks of interest include inspectors' and proof marks around the breech end of the barrel: \u003cspan\u003ea capital \u003cstrong\u003eA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eon top; and a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e over a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e over an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eeagle's head\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e over another \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on the left side just above the stock.\u003c\/span\u003e 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\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1893\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":29378113110085,"sku":"ON7886","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ON7886__01.jpg?v=1596800720","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-trapdoor-model-1884-round-rod-bayonet-rifle-made-in-1893-serial-no-562495","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}