This particular U.S. Springfield M1884 Carbine was manufactured in 1889, the final year of carbine production. The carbine has the 'short wrist/long comb' stock with butt trap that contains a three-piece cleaning rod and ruptured shell extractor and is fitted with the Buffington rear sight with wind age and elevation adjustments. It is not fitted with the sight protector barrel band adopted in 1890. The barrel, barrel band, receiver, lock, trigger guard and buttplate are blued; the 'low arch' breech block and barrel tang have a water-quenched case hardened finish with strong case colors. The top of the rear sight blade is stamped with a "C" (carbine). An "A" is stamped on the center line of the barrel in front of the receiver and the left side of the barrel is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head/P" proof and inspection marks. The top of the breech block is marked: "U.S./MODEL/1884" in three lines. The serial number "450029" is stamped on the rear of the receiver ahead of the tang. The lock plate is roll-stamped with the Eagle and Shield motif followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in front of the hammer. The final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "SWP" over "1889" surrounded by a rectangle is stamped on the left stock wrist. The encircled script "P" firing proof is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard.

Excellent. The carbine retains nearly 95% of the original blue finish with wear limited to some finish loss and light scratches on the muzzle and forward portion of the barrel, some thinning on the lock plate and high point wear on the toe and heel of the buttplate. The case-colors on the protected areas of the breech block are vivid. The markings on the barrel, lock plate and breech block are sharp. The bore is bright. The stock is in excellent plus condition with only minor storage marks. The proof and final inspection stamps are crisp. The action functions perfectly. This is an excellent, original, example of a very late production M1884 Trapdoor Carbine that would be difficult to improve upon. Writer has seen few of these.