Lot 283: U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Rifle with Barringer Rear Sight

Manufactured in 1885 with standard markings including "1873" marked breech block and "SWP/1885" cartouche. It has the standard features of the Model 1884 rifles apart from the sights which consist of a beaded blade (bead absent) dovetailed in a block near the muzzle, and a scarce, very desirable, elevation adjustable Barringer rear sight which is graduated from 100 to 1100 yards. A filler screw is visible where the original Buffington sight was removed. These sights were initially installed on Trapdoor rifles in 1894, an example of which that is only five serial numbers away from this one can be seen on p. 153 of "Trapdoor Springfield" by Waite and Ernst, as well as being installed on Krag-Jorgensen rifles for trial. Later, the sight was even installed on Model 1903 rifles for testing. "GDM", George D. Moller Collection mark is on the toe of the stock. Includes a Rock Island Arsenal marked leather sling with "E.H.S." inspector mark. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Fine, retains 70% of the original blue finish on the barrel and trigger guard and patters of the mostly silvered out original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth plum-brown patina or silvered case colors. The lightly sanded and reoiled wood is fine with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and legible cartouche. Mechanically excellent.