July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
These unique bolt action repeaters were designed by Reuben Chaffee and General James Reece, and were trialed by the US Army with little success. Just 753 units produced by Springfield Armory in 1884. This high condition rifle features a 28" polish blued barrel proofed at breech "V / P / (Eagle Head)" and chambered in the government standard .45-70 cartridge. Blade front sight and "C-R" marked trapdoor style rear sight graduated to 1400 yards. Receiver marked "US-SPRINGFIELD.-1884.". Rifle is mounted in an oil finished walnut military stock with 2 "U" marked spring retained barrel bands and a trap butt plate where cartridges are inserted. Stock stamped at wrist with script encircled "P" proof, crisp Samuel Porter "SWP / 1884" cartouche at heel, and "229562" museum number stamped on the left above the trigger guard. This museum catalog number denotes ownership by the Smithsonian Institution, which is documented by a series of included document copies and letters from the former curator of the Division of Military History. Originally, in 1884 General William T. Sherman recommended that the Museum of Arms at the Ordnance Department in Washington acquire a Chaffee-Reece. When their headquarters were moved in 1904, the War Department transferred several historical arms kept there to the Smithsonian Institution, including this rifle listed by the catalog number stamped on the stock. In 1953, arms historian Lt. Col. B.R. Lewis exchanged a US surcharged Charleville for this gun. Alan Kelly then purchased the rifle from Col. Lewis' widow, selling it to a collector in 1973 with receipt included. CONDITION: Excellent plus. Nearly all of the brilliant blue is retained on the barrel with other blued components starting to tone. Receiver has a mottled patina retaining the majority of its original finish. Stock is fine with a some impressions. Very fine mirror bore. Mechanically fine. This especially high condition example of a rarely encountered rifle with incredible provenance would be a fine addition to any martial arms collection. BAS