Item Description
Original Item: Only One available. This is a most interesting springfield trapdoor rifle, it's breach block is marked:
MODEL
1873
While the wood stock bears a military inspector's cartouche dated 1891. The rifle is in very nice condition with great amounts of the original finish remaining and looks as if it has come right out of very long term storage. The Trapdoor Springfield Rifle was the weapon used, in its Carbine form, by the Troopers of the 7th Cavalry that met their fate at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1776.
The Rod Bayonet model was introduced in 1884 so perhaps this rifle was returned to stores after 1884 and then updated to the then current issue specifications. This is a real peach and well worth placing in any U.S. Military Collection.
Offered in very good/excellent condition is this trapdoor rifle in 45-70 government caliber. Serial #127481 with a legible SWP 1891 cartouche, overall very good metal finish with all proofs still present. The serial number indicates that it was built at Springfield in 1880.
The butt plate is marked U.S. and both barrel bands are "U" marked. The rifle features an excellent un-sanded stock with visible SWP 1891. Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels, Buffington sight, sliding ramrod bayonet. Lock is marked with an eagle and "US 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. A stylized P 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 A on top; and 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; however 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 in the UK.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
- Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre in the UK.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to posses, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in live condition. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon