This is a very rare example of a Model 1882 experimental short rifle or calvary rifle as some have called them. In actuality, the intent of this series was to develop a single rifle configuration that could be adopted by both the Infantry and the Calvary. It had merit in 1882 and has the same merit in the U.S. Military today. Obviously the idea was to save manufacturing and logistics cost by using only one configuration. Additionally these rifles incorporated some requested improvements at the time such as a shorter barrel for better handling, different rifling configurations for improved accuracy, cleaning and improved rear sight modifications. There were exactly 52 of these rifles manufactured for test trials with the most unique aspect of this being the 28 inch barrel. Of the 52 made, half were manufactured with the traditional, "3-groove" rifling with the other half manufactured with a new "6-groove" rifling system; of these, half were to be equipped with the new experimental 1880, "triangular-sliding" bayonet with the other half made with the ram-rod bayonet system. This example has the desirable "6-groove" rifling and the rare 1880 triangular bayonet. These are a very rare rifle with an estimate of only 3-4 still existing today, as very few actually survived the tests with almost all being cannibalized or destroyed after the testing was completed. These rifles are briefly discussed on pages, 130-135 of the excellent book "The 45-70 Springfield" by Frasca & Hill. Furthermore, this specific rifle falls into the noted/documented serial number range of all 52 of the rifles. As noted the salient features of this rare rifle are: 1) they have a 28 inch barrel with the "6-groove" rifling and the Model 1880 triangular sliding bayonet, 2) experimental cavalry curved front and rear sling swivel, 3) it is fitted with the experimental M1882 rear sight with locking screw in the center of the windage slide, with the leaf marked "28" on the upper end, 4) low arch breechblock marked "U.S./MODEL/1873", 5) friction fit breechblock, (now somewhat weak), 6) boxed "SWP/1882" cartouche on the stock, 7) somewhat thicker/heavier barrel with a larger muzzle diameter (approximately .780), 8) smooth trigger 9) longer gas port with thicker receiver wall and 10) a long wrist stock with the short comb. The lock plate and barrel both have the standard proofmarks and markings. The right rear end of the buttstock has a small brass tag numbered "127" which may have been a museum or Government property number. Also accompanying this rifle is an excerpt of one of the pages from Frank Mallory's book on Springfield serial numbers, which at the bottom list a series of serial numbers for these experimental rifles which indicates that this rifle (serial number 197434) along with 5 other rifles were selected for accuracy testing, probably at Ft Leavenworth Kansas. In total 20 shots were fired through this rifle. Certainly a very rare experimental rifle of which almost none are know to exist today.

Very good with traces of the original blue finish overall, mostly a gray patina on the exposed metal with 50% of a faded mottled blue on the lock plate. The stock is in very good plus condition with nice original finish, showing handling marks, scratches and light pressure dents overall. This is the correct type of finish and overall condition you would expect from an experimental rifle that was actually tested in the field. It has all the correct original salient features of the original Model 1882 experimental infantry short rifle. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own this most unique Springfield Rifle!