Image Lot Price Description



3211
$8,050.00

VERY RARE SPRINGFIELD OFFICERS MODEL 1875 TYPE I RIFLE.

SN NSN. 45-70 Cal. Scarce first type officer’s model with 26″ rnd bbl. Hooded adjustable front sight and ladder type rear sight. The high arch breech block has the 1873 markings and the lock plate is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873” forward of a spread winged American eagle. Mounted in a 1-pc walnut half stock with coarse checkered forearm & straight stock that has musket/carbine buttplate without trap. Forearm has a pewter tip in foliate pattern & forearm is secured by a single band with band spring. Top of the wrist is mounted with tang sight with rnd base with stamped marking “PAT MAY 6 / 84” screwed into the wood. Trigger is single-set style. Lock plate, hammer, breech block, thumb lever, trigger guard, front receiver ring, bbl band, forend cap & buttplate tang are very nicely engraved in flowing foliate arabesque patterns. Bbl has the standard “VP” and eagle inspector marks & the buttplate tang is marked “US”. Bottom of the bbl has a single iron guide which contains a hickory and brass cleaning rod. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms only about 125 of these rifles were produced in the period 1875 to 1877. They were initially intended as special order items for military officers but later were awarded as shooting prizes and eventually civilians were even allowed to purchase them. This gun is accompanied by a large file of research listing many of the officers and dates they purchased their guns. PROVENANCE: Eve Morgan, Clarkston, WA. Lewis Yearout 1969. Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. CONDITION: Good to very good overall. Bbl is freckled with pitting, rust and staining, remainder of metal is similar color with spotted areas of rust overall being gray/brown. Brass and wood ramrod is sound and solid though heavily stained and dark in exposed areas. Markings are all discernible. Stock is sound, solid and well fit and has a small “9” stamped behind tang. Tang sight with 1884 patent date is poorly fit but has a similar matching patina as can be seen in photos. Stock has typical “P” in circle proof behind point of checkering on bottom of butt. Other markings found on gun include a “7” stamped inside trigger guard, and a “55” stamped on bottom of bbl. Gun is mechanically functional. Rifling is crisp and discernible though pitted. 4-53794 JS78 (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3211

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Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014
Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.