EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD OFFICERS MODEL SPORTING RIFLE CONNECTED TO GEN. GEORGE F. DODGE.

EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD OFFICERS MODEL SPORTING RIFLE CONNECTED TO GEN. GEORGE F. DODGE. Cal 50-70. SN 16574. Made on an 1868 trap-door rifle bbled action, this beautiful and rare rifle has a 28” bbl with gold washed Beech’s front sight and the standard 1000 yd ladder rifle sight. It is mounted in a fine walnut half stock with single bbl band and smooth pewter forend cap. The forestock and wrist are nicely checkered in about 20 lines per inch. The left flat has the outline of two oval cartouches and one rectangular one. One of the oval cartouches is “ESA”. The forend tip of the stock, between the bbl band and cap, shows the filled ramrod channel of the original military musket stock. The bbl band and butt have sling eyes. It is fitted with custom DBL set triggers and a beautiful German silver trigger guard with tapered square end tangs. The buttplate is standard issue, US marked, smooth steel, musket style and the lockplate is dated 1863. The top of the wrist is inlaid with a small gold shield bearing the engraved initials “TED”. Removal of the lock and trigger plate disclosed only sub-inspector marks, no assembly numbers. Page 478 of the 8th edition of Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms discloses that he believes there were less than 20 of these rifles ever made, making it one of the most rare of Springfield firearms. These rifles were most likely ordered by military officers for buffalo hunting on the great plains as the 50 caliber was the most effective cartridge for buffalo at that time. Graham Burnside, in an article published in the Nov. 1961 issue of The Shooting Times, refers to this rifle, which at that time was in the collection of Richard Stapleton. Mr. Stapleton lived in Iowa, the state where this rifle first came to light. Burnside speculated that this rifle had been one of the two ordered by Maj. Gen. George F. Dodge in 1870. References in the Springfield Armory records show that Gen. Dodge ordered two of these 50 caliber rifles at a cost of $70.00. It is known that Gen. Dodge resided in Iowa after his retirement. Burnside did not research the Dodge family for a member with the initials “TED”. This rifle was purchased by the consignor directly from the Stapleton family four years ago. There are very few of these known to have survived. A very rare opportunity for the advanced private collector. CONDITION: Bbl retains 93-95% strong bright original blue with scattered light surface spotting. Front sight retains about 80% thinning gold wash. Breech block and lockplate are a medium gray patina. Wood is sound and retains most of its fine original oil finish. Buttplate is a mottled silver brown patina. Bright shiny bore. 4-50353 JR140 (35,000-55,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004

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
	830	$0.00	EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD OFFICERS MODEL SPORTING RIFLE CONNECTED TO GEN. GEORGE F. DODGE. Cal 50-70. SN 16574. Made on an 1868 trap-door rifle bbled action, this beautiful and rare rifle has a 28” bbl with gold washed Beech’s front sight and the standard 1000 yd ladder rifle sight. It is mounted in a fine walnut half stock with single bbl band and smooth pewter forend cap. The forestock and wrist are nicely checkered in about 20 lines per inch. The left flat has the outline of two oval cartouches and one rectangular one. One of the oval cartouches is “ESA”. The forend tip of the stock, between the bbl band and cap, shows the filled ramrod channel of the original military musket stock. The bbl band and butt have sling eyes. It is fitted with custom DBL set triggers and a beautiful German silver trigger guard with tapered square end tangs. The buttplate is standard issue, US marked, smooth steel, musket style and the lockplate is dated 1863. The top of the wrist is inlaid with a small gold shield bearing the engraved initials “TED”. Removal of the lock and trigger plate disclosed only sub-inspector marks, no assembly numbers. Page 478 of the 8th edition of Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms discloses that he believes there were less than 20 of these rifles ever made, making it one of the most rare of Springfield firearms. These rifles were most likely ordered by military officers for buffalo hunting on the great plains as the 50 caliber was the most effective cartridge for buffalo at that time. Graham Burnside, in an article published in the Nov. 1961 issue of The Shooting Times, refers to this rifle, which at that time was in the collection of Richard Stapleton. Mr. Stapleton lived in Iowa, the state where this rifle first came to light. Burnside speculated that this rifle had been one of the two ordered by Maj. Gen. George F. Dodge in 1870. References in the Springfield Armory records show that Gen. Dodge ordered two of these 50 caliber rifles at a cost of $70.00. It is known that Gen. Dodge resided in Iowa after his retirement. Burnside did not research the Dodge family for a member with the initials “TED”. This rifle was purchased by the consignor directly from the Stapleton family four years ago. There are very few of these known to have survived. A very rare opportunity for the advanced private collector. CONDITION: Bbl retains 93-95% strong bright original blue with scattered light surface spotting. Front sight retains about 80% thinning gold wash. Breech block and lockplate are a medium gray patina. Wood is sound and retains most of its fine original oil finish. Buttplate is a mottled silver brown patina. Bright shiny bore. 4-50353 JR140 (35,000-55,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004 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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