April 27-30, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/27/2021
Initially patented in 1879 by Reuben Chaffee and General James Reece, this unique bolt action repeating rifle feeds from a 5 round magazine housed in the butt. The .45-70 cartridges are loaded through a trap butt and are ratcheted forward with the action of the bolt. The Chaffee-Reese did not excel in US military trials and only 753 examples were produced by the Springfield Armory. This example is fitted with the standard blued 28" barrel with "V / P / (Eagle Head)" proofs and a "C-R" marked 1879 trapdoor-style rear sight. Barrel is retained by 2 blued iron bands to a full length walnut stock. Stock is marked with a crisp "SWP / 1884" cartouche near butt and a circle "P" proof at the wrist. Left of receiver marked "US-SPRINGFIELD-1884." Rifle is complete with cleaning rod. CONDITION: Fine. Rifle retains majority of its original thinning blued finish, with some areas thinning to a gray/brown patina. Hardened receiver faded. Stock very good with a few handling marks and one more significant abrasion near the bolt. Bright bore with strong rifling. Functions appropriately when worked by hand. BAS