SPRINGFIELD 1875 OFFICERS MODEL TRAPDOOR, FIRST TYPE.

Revised: 3/9/2012

CORRECTION: The round base tang sight is a contemporary replacement, constructed and finished to Springfield Armory specification.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A copy of noted Springfield Armory Scholar Dr. Vance Haynes’ data sheet for this rifle, as compiled 2/10/2006, accompanies this lot.

SPRINGFIELD 1875 OFFICERS MODEL TRAPDOOR, FIRST TYPE. SN NSN. Cal. 45-70. Made by Springfield Armory to be either issued to or purchased by officers, these special rifles are very nicely finished and often have unusual features. This fine example has 26″ round bbl with 1873 rear sight and Beech combination front. Case hardened receiver has 1873 dated high arch breechblock. Case hardened lock is marked “U. S. Springfield 1873”. Breech, lock, hammer, trigger guard, buttplate, and nosecap, are engraved with nicely cut open scroll with acanthus highlights. Nicely stump figured American walnut stock has added wood pistol grip, as normally found on second type rifles. Checkering is coarse, but well cut, with mullered borders at grip and forend. Rifle is fitted with unusual Springfield made vernier sight with small round base, as is normally found on later type ones and early type two officer’s models. “98” is stamped behind action tang. Rifle is furnished with set trigger, rounded pewter engraved forend tip, and hickory cleaning rod with nickel-plated tip. A total of 477 officers models were produced, with only 125 estimated as first type. An exceptionally scarce and important US military variation. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Estate Collection. Mr. Howard’s notes indicate that he acquired this item from Collectors Firearms, Mike Clark in 1987, and that it was “found in the bush in the Carolinas.” CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains 90 – 95% orig blue, silvering at muzzle, and thinning somewhat overall. Action retains most of its orig case hardening color, and a good deal of its orig protecting varnish. Lock and hammer retain perhaps 90% color, silvered slightly at rear, and more so at front. Trigger guard is browning over bow. Trigger plate retains a considerable amount of its color. Buttplate retains strong traces of color on its tang, but is mostly mottled silver gray. Stock is excellent, retaining nearly all its orig oil finish, with a few dents and marks. Checkering shows some very slight wear. Vernier rear sight is excellent, retaining nearly all of its fire-blue. Cleaning rod retains nearly all of its varnish, tip most of its plating. Bore is excellent. Lock and set trigger are crisp. 4-45406 MGM43 (15,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1696	$26,450.00	Revised: 3/9/2012 CORRECTION: The round base tang sight is a contemporary replacement, constructed and finished to Springfield Armory specification. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A copy of noted Springfield Armory Scholar Dr. Vance Haynes’ data sheet for this rifle, as compiled 2/10/2006, accompanies this lot. SPRINGFIELD 1875 OFFICERS MODEL TRAPDOOR, FIRST TYPE. SN NSN. Cal. 45-70. Made by Springfield Armory to be either issued to or purchased by officers, these special rifles are very nicely finished and often have unusual features. This fine example has 26″ round bbl with 1873 rear sight and Beech combination front. Case hardened receiver has 1873 dated high arch breechblock. Case hardened lock is marked “U. S. Springfield 1873”. Breech, lock, hammer, trigger guard, buttplate, and nosecap, are engraved with nicely cut open scroll with acanthus highlights. Nicely stump figured American walnut stock has added wood pistol grip, as normally found on second type rifles. Checkering is coarse, but well cut, with mullered borders at grip and forend. Rifle is fitted with unusual Springfield made vernier sight with small round base, as is normally found on later type ones and early type two officer’s models. “98” is stamped behind action tang. Rifle is furnished with set trigger, rounded pewter engraved forend tip, and hickory cleaning rod with nickel-plated tip. A total of 477 officers models were produced, with only 125 estimated as first type. An exceptionally scarce and important US military variation. PROVENANCE: Robert Howard Estate Collection. Mr. Howard’s notes indicate that he acquired this item from Collectors Firearms, Mike Clark in 1987, and that it was “found in the bush in the Carolinas.” CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains 90 – 95% orig blue, silvering at muzzle, and thinning somewhat overall. Action retains most of its orig case hardening color, and a good deal of its orig protecting varnish. Lock and hammer retain perhaps 90% color, silvered slightly at rear, and more so at front. Trigger guard is browning over bow. Trigger plate retains a considerable amount of its color. Buttplate retains strong traces of color on its tang, but is mostly mottled silver gray. Stock is excellent, retaining nearly all its orig oil finish, with a few dents and marks. Checkering shows some very slight wear. Vernier rear sight is excellent, retaining nearly all of its fire-blue. Cleaning rod retains nearly all of its varnish, tip most of its plating. Bore is excellent. Lock and set trigger are crisp. 4-45406 MGM43 (15,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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.

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