This exceptionally rare and desirable rifle has a 26 inch barrel fitted with a combination fold down front globe/blade sight and adjustable rear sight. It is also equipped with an adjustable fold down tang peep sight. The barrel is fastened with a single barrel band, which is marked with a "U" on the right side. The barrel, receiver, rear sights and buttplate are blue, the remaining metal parts are casehardened. The top of the barrel at the breech is marked "R" and " V / P / (Eagle head) / P" on the left side. The breechblock is marked " US / Model / 1873". The lock is marked " U. S. / SPRINGFIELD" ahead of the hammer. The hammer, breechblock, lockplate, barrel tang, trigger guard, top of the receiver, butt stock heel and barrel band are fancy factory scroll engraved. The wooden cleaning rod is held by a single ferrule under the barrel and the silver, decorative, engraved forend cap is slotted to accept the rod. The stock has a checkered forearm, wrist and removable pistol grip. The left side of the wrist has the "SWP / 1885" cartouche in a rectangle and the circled "P" on the underside just below the checkering. A small number bore the wrist cartouche, a small batch in 1881 and another in 1885. The Officer's Rifle was not issued, but sold to Army officers for personal sporting use with a small amount produced. One of the attractions of service in the west was the excellent hunting and this model offered a quality rifle chambered for the standard military cartridge with the sporting nature of the stock and single set trigger.

Excellent plus. The barrel retains approximately 97-98% plus original blue finish with some light wear on the left side of the muzzle and light handling marks overall. The barrel band has some thinning with minor scratches and light spotting. Almost all of the vivid casehardened colors remain with only some light fading on the top of the hammer and underside of the trigger guard. The buttplate shows finish loss on the heel, which is a smooth gray patina , thinning on the toe and overall light spotting. The stock is also excellent, it has been refreshed and has overall scattered minor dents, nicks concentrated mostly on the left side of the wrist, and a very small chip at the rear of the lockplate. All of the checkering remains very crisp. All markings and engraving are crisp and clear. An exceptional Trapdoor Officer's Rifle in almost mint condition.