This is an example of a scarce Type II U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Trapdoor Officer's Model rifle, attributed as originally purchased by Lieutenant Colonel Lafayette E. Campbell (May 9, 1845-May 3, 1919), a prominent individual who was married to Margaret Dent, the daughter of General Frederick Dent, who was the brother-in-law of Ulysses S. Grant. Only a reported 477 total Officer's Model rifles of three types were manufactured by the Springfield Armory between 1875 and 1885 to fulfill the request by U.S. Army officers for suitable sporting rifles for use in hunting and target shooting. Of those, 252 are estimated to have been this Type II configuration, manufactured c. 1877-1881, showing features of the Model 1877 and 1879 rifles. An accompanying old museum inventory type piece of paper with this lot reads "Springfield Rifle loaned by Helen Dent Campbell [daughter of Lafayette Campbell]. Used by Capt. Campbell in the west during the Indian Wars. This shoots a 45-70 bullet and was used for buffalo hunting. This is a specially made rifle that was sold to officers and given as awards. Please do not handle this gun. MHS '9897' Jan. 1947." An included scanned copy lists a number of these Officers Model rifles sold and to what individual (source unknown) with an example listed as sold on February 25 of 1880 to "Capt LE Campbell" for $27.00. Lafayette E. Campbell was born May 9, 1845 in Dayton, Ohio. He began his military career when he enlisted as a private in Company F, 3rd Iowa Cavalry on June 20, 1862. Twice wounded during the Civil War, Campbell was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant with the 3rd U.S. Volunteer Cavalry on February 22, 1865. As a member of the 33rd U.S. Infantry, Campbell was promoted to 1st Lieutenant October 11, 1868, and in 1872 he accompanied the Hayden Expedition to Yellowstone National Park. He was stationed for five years in and around Fort Sully, Dakota Territory and later at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. Lafayette E. Campbell married President Ulysses S. Grant's niece, Margaret Lynde Dent on October 5, 1875 in Washington D.C. The couple moved to the Post in San Antonio, Texas, later known as Fort Sam Houston, where Campbell served as the quartermaster officer in charge of construction. Over the next several years, Campbell oversaw the construction of numerous military structures, and reportedly purchased this U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Officers rifle on February 2, 1880 during this time period. His work constructing Fort Logan, Colorado is considered to be one of his most important legacies, with construction beginning on this facility in July of 1888, with this Officers rifle likely nearby him for protection in the turbulent west. He retired from the U.S. Army on December 11, 1892 with the rank of Major. A special act of Congress awarded Lafayette E. Campbell a brevet promotion to Lieutenant Colonel on February 19, 1903. The Officer's Models are easily among the most desirable of all the rifles manufactured by the Springfield Armory thanks to their rarity, quality, and connection to military officers. They are not serial numbered, but this rifle is marked with a "1" assembly number under the receiver, on the set trigger components, and on the inside of the trigger guard bow. In function, the rifle is a standard trapdoor rifle with a low-arch breech block. However, it is embellished with traditional acanthus scroll engraving on the forend cap, barrel band, receiver, breech block, lock, hammer, trigger guard and buttplate. The lock has the standard markings including a federal eagle behind "U.S./SPRINGFIELD", the breech block is marked "U.S./MODEL/1873", standard "V/P/eagle head" proofs on the upper left of the barrel at the breech, a circled script "P" proofmark behind the checkered panel on the underside of the stock, "US" on top of the buttplate, shorter 26 inch barrel fitted with a folding combination blade and globe Beach front sight, Model 1879 buckhorn rear sight graduated 1-5 on the left side of the stepped base and 6-11 on the ladder, Springfield peep sight mounted on top of the wrist, traditional style wood cleaning rod with nickeled and knurled tip mounted below the barrel, single set trigger, walnut sporting stock with checkered forend and wrist, and a detachable checkered walnut pistol grip. Includes relevant consignor supplied research documents.

Fine, retains 70% original blue finish on the barrel with some areas thinning to a smooth brown and some scattered light scratches, vivid patterns of original case colors visible in protected areas of the breech with silvering and smooth gray/brown patina on the balance of the exposed casehardened surfaces, scattered natural brown freckling indicative of some western use, and sharp well-executed scroll engraving overall. Stock is also fine with distinct edges, some light dents, scratches, and nicks, and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. This U.S. Springfield Officer's Model 1875 rifle would make a fine addition to any U.S. military firearms collection.