2020 September Premier, Volume I

Investment Quality Springfield Model 1875 Trapdoor Officer's Rifle
LOT 166
Outstanding U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Trapdoor Officer’s
Rifle - NSN, 45/70 Govt. cal., 26 inch bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut checkered pistol grip stock. This scarce and desirable Mode 1875
Trapdoor Officer’s Rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory c. 1885.
This Type III Officer’s Rifle is one of 100 rifles manufactured in 1885 which
feature a 5/8-inch longer stock, square profile nose cap and “SWP/1885”
final inspection mark on the left stock wrist. The rifle has a 26-inch barrel
secured by a single band, walnut half-stock with checkered forearm, wrist,
detachable checkered pistol grip and nickel-silver nose cap. The rifle has a
hickory cleaning rod with un-plated brass tip and slotted ferrule, oval base
vernier tang sight mounted on the stock wrist, buckhorn rear sight, folding
combination globe front sight and single set-trigger. The barrel, barrel
band, receiver and buttplate have a commercial quality blue finish. The
‘low-arch’ breech block, lock plate, hammer and carbine style trigger guard
are color casehardened with vivid case colors. The nose cap, top of the
barrel band, top of the receiver, breech block, lock plate, hammer, barrel
tang, trigger guard and buttplate heel are engraved with well executed
open scrollwork. The lock plate is roll-stamped with the Springfield Eagle/
Shield motif followed by “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” in two lines. The top of the
breech block is roll-stamped: “U.S./MODEL/1878”. The top of the barrel is
stamped with a “P” proof mark between the rear sight and the receiver
and the left side of the barrel is stamped with “V/P/Eagle Head/P” proof
and inspection marks. “U.S.” is stamped on the buttplate heel behind
screw. An encircled, script, “P” proof mark is stamped on the bottom of the
stock behind the checkering. The Model 1875 Officer’s Model Rifle was
manufactured by Springfield Armory to provide Army officers with a high
quality sporting-grade rifle that utilized the .45-70 service cartridge. The
Model 1875 Officer’s Model were available for private purchase by officers;
a total of 477 rifles were manufactured between 1875 and 1885. The
Model 1875 Officer’s Rifle displayed the high degree of craftsmanship
that characterized rifles manufactured by Springfield Armory during the
19th Century.
CONDITION: Excellent. This exceptional rifle is all original and retains 95%
plus of the original high quality blue finish. The blue finish on the barrel
shows some thinning on the top between the rear sight and the receiver.
The buttplate has finish wear on the contact
points on the heel and toe. There are several
very minor age spots on the right side of
the barrel near the muzzle. The breech
block, lock plate, hammer and tang retain
98% plus of the vivid original case colors.
The case colors on the trigger guard are
muted but remain at least 95% intact. The
vernier sight has 90% plus of the high polish
blue finish. The stock and pistol grip are in
excellent condition with crisp checkering.
At least 95% of the original varnish remains
intact. The “SWP/1885” inspection mark and
encircled “P” proof mark are crisp. Stock wear
is limited to a few very insignificant handling
and storage marks. This is an exceptional
example of an extraordinary U.S. Springfield
Model 1875 Trapdoor officer’s Rifle that
would be difficult to improve upon.
Estimate: 25000 - 37500
161