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SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1875 OFFICERS MODEL TRAPDOOR

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1875 OFFICERS MODEL TRAPDOOR
SERIAL NUMBER N/A BARREL 26" CALIBER 45-70 GOV'T MANUFACTURED 1875-1877. Produced by Springfield Arsenal on a special order basis for Military Officers. These Special order rifles where mostly shipped to the west due the abundance of wild game and lure of hunting. Straight grain American walnut stock with checkered wrist and forearm with engraved pewter forend tip. Engraved steel butt plate and detachable checkered wood pistol grip. The 26" barrel is mounted with the pattern 1873 rear sight with side graduation from 50-400 and staff graduation from 500-1200. Front sight is a folding combination Beech pattern sight. Barrel is "VP" proofed with Eagle. Breech block is marked "US MODEL 1873" and is scroll and vine engraved as is the receiver and tang. The trigger guard is engraved in the same vine & scroll with an assembly number 22 internally. The Butt Plate and barrel band are engraved in the same fashion. The rifle is equipped with a special single set trigger and the lock plate is marked "US MODEL 1873" with Eagle and is profusely engraved in the same previous mentioned patterns. Rifle was originally fitted with a wrist mounted tang sight that is now missing. This rifle is a recent discovery and came from the American West. It is heavily used and weathered. This is the only example we have ever observed that has been used extensively and obviously the the original owner / officer got his monies worth. A true piece of American westward expansion history. CONDITION, Fair as weathered and used. The wood is bleached from exposure to the elements and the checkering worn and forend checkering having been almost totally worn away. The metal has all turned a chocolate brown patina with all markings and engraving being visible and legible. The action including the special order set trigger operate properly. The bore is well worn with visible rifling. The tang sight as previously mentioned has long since been lost. The wiping rod is intact with most all knurling being worn away. The script "P" inspection to the rear of the wrist is still legible. The wiping rod ferule is a replacement. The stories this western discovered rifle could tell would be amazing. ANTIQUE