GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1875 TYPE II OFFICER'S MODEL TRAPDOOR RIFLE.SPRINGFIELD1873 OFFICERS MODELNSN45-70Cal. 45-70. Beautiful Officer's Model Springfield, Type II with 26" bbl, combination front shrouded peep sight and long range ladder rear sight (stamped "R"). Bottom of bbl has a sgl blued steel guide and locator post containing its orig brass tipped hickory cleaning rod. Bbl has the usual "V,P" and eagle proofs along with additional "P" proof. Breech block has the "US / MODEL / 1873" markings and lockplate has standard eagle and "US / SPRINGFIELD" markings. Mounted in a straight grain half stock with extensively checkered forestock & straight grip with orig 1873 style buttplate without trap and has a sgl bbl band. Assembly numbers are found inside trigger bow "I4" and "9" stamped in stock rear of tang. Forend tip is inlaid with a beautiful silver plated pewter nosecap with engraved foliate patterns on the bottom. Made without detachable pistol grip. Top of the wrist is inlaid with the standard tang sight inletted directly into the wood. Trigger guard is 2-pc with a sgl set trigger. Lockplate, hammer, breech block, top tang, top front of receiver, bbl band, trigger bow, buttplate tang & forend cap are all nicely engraved in foliate swirled patterns. According to The .45-70 Springfield Book II 1865-1893, Albert Frasca, there were 477 of these rifles produced in the period 1875-1885. One hundred and one of those rifles were issued to various military officers and important civilians with about another 300 of them purchased by military officers. This rifle is one of the finest examples and would be difficult to upgrade. CONDITION: Extremely fine overall, appears to be new and unfired retaining much of its orig arsenal finish to both metal and wood with strong bright blue, about 50% brilliant case colors with balance silver patina, bright oiled stock with small chip at bbl tang. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 52802-1 JS (20,000-30,000)