This is a scarce example of a U.S. Springfield Armory M1869 Cadet Rifle that was manufactured circa 1871. The 50-caliber center fire rifle has a "National Armory Bright' 29 5/8-inch barrel with two spring-fastened bands, a M1868 pattern folding, long range, rear sight, ramrod with single shoulder stop and black walnut stock with small butt plate. The converted Civil War Springfield lock and hammer have a color case-hardened finish and the breech and breech block have blackened finish. The lock plate is dated "1865" behind the hammer and is stamped with the Eagle and Shield motif followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in front of it. The breech block is dated "1870" above a Eagle Head, crossed arrows and "U.S.". The serial number "433" is stamped on the left side of the barrel and the breech. The heel of the buttplate is stamped "U.S.". Script, three-letter inspector's and sub-inspector's final inspection stamps are located on the left stock flat. A small script "P" surrounded by a rectangle is stamped on the bottom of the stock between the trigger guard and the buttplate. Springfield Armory manufactured 3,422 M1869 Cadet Rifles between 1869 and 1876.

Excellent. The barrel, barrel bands, trigger guard and buttplate retain most of the original 'National Armory Bright' finish. Metal surfaces do not appear to have been cleaned and have no pitting and only scattered age discoloration. The lock plate and hammer have 98% or more of the original, vivid case colors intact. The receiver, breech-block and rear sight have 97% or more of the crisp original, oil-quenched black casehardened finish. The stock is in excellent condition with light handling and storage wear. Edges of the stock flats and the barrel channel are sharp. The inspector's marks on the left flat and wrist are very crisp. This is an excellent example of a scarce M1869 Trapdoor Cadet Rifle that shows minimal handling and storage wear.