This desirable rifle is one of only 125 First Type Officer's Model 1875s manufactured by Springfield Armory to be made available for purchase by officers in the U.S. Army, rather than being issued like most standard trapdoor rifles. Posts in the American West provided excellent hunting opportunities, and this rifle was meant as a tool for officers to be able to take advantage of such opportunities while stationed there. Each one of these rifles was individually made, and to avoid the time consuming custom work, the Ordnance Department decided to standardize the "Sporting rifle" term and renamed it the "Model 1875 Officer's Rifle". This particular rifle features a 26 inch barrel with a folding front globe sight and the standard rear folding rifle sight graduated to 1,200 yards and a tang mounted long range peep sight. The breechblock is marked "MODEL/1873/eagle head/crossed arrows/US", and the lock is marked with the eagle and shield motif and "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873" ahead of the hammer. The left rear of the barrel is marked with the "V/P/eagle head" proof marks, and the buttplate tang is marked "U.S." The breechblock, hammer, upper tang, lock, latch, buttplate tang, trigger guard, and top of the barrel band are decorated with floral scroll designs. The barrel and rear sight are blue, and the remaining parts are casehardened. Mounted with a checkered straight grip half stock with a wood ramrod with a nickel finished brass tip, floral scroll engraved German silver forend, dished cheek area and crescent iron buttplate.

Very good plus. The barrel retains 30% original blue finish mixed with smooth gray patina. There are strong flashes of the original case colors on the other parts, mainly in sheltered areas, with the balance a smooth grey patina. With the exception of some heavy wear on the right side of the forearm, the stock is very good with a few minor dings, dishing of the cheek for personal fitment, and sharp checkering on the wrist. The markings and engraving remain crisp and clear. The action is excellent. A solid representative example of an original U.S. Springfield Officer's Model Trapdoor rifle.