Item:
ON9633

Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Round Rod Bayonet Rifle - Serial No 560197

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.

In 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.

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.

The 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."

Offered in very good condition is this trapdoor rifle in 45-70 government caliber. Serial #560197 with a government inspector SWP 1893 cartouche, indicating final inspection in 1893. A stylized P in a circle under the wrist of the stock indicates that the rifle passed all of its overpressure proof testing. Original metal finish with all proofs still present. Some areas of pitting are present on the left side of the metal work near the breech block. Bore shows clear lands and grooves, though is somewhat dark due to oxidation.

The butt plate is marked "U.S." and both barrel bands are "U" marked. The rifle features an nice un-sanded stock, with the area around the lock plate still "proud", as the lock plate was originally slightly recessed in the stock.  Additionally, the stock bears military rack numbers on the left side:

 

H
6
30

 

Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels, 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. Additional marks of interest include inspectors' and proof marks around the breech end of the barrel: 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.

These guns may be found with an assortment of front sight covers; this one has the standard third-type blade front sight.

Model 1884 and Model 1888 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 a mix of 1884 and 1888 rifles.

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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