This is an original example of a late U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Type III Trapdoor Officer's Rifle manufactured in 1885. These rifles were a badge of rank and distinction for U.S. Calvary officers that had to be purchased directly from Springfield Armory on a special order basis only. There were three different types, with a total of only 477 Officer's Models reportedly manufactured, and only approximately 100 Type III Models. These scarce rifles all exhibit select walnut stocks with checkering on the forend and pistol grip area and a separate detachable walnut pistol grip. The barrel band, receiver, breech block, lock plate, hammer, upper tang, and buttplate tang are all decorated with fine scroll engraving. The left side of the barrel is stamped with "V/P/eagle head/P" proofs. The top of the low-arch breechblock is marked "US/MODEL/1873" in three lines, and the lock plate is marked with the eagle and shield motif ahead of the hammer followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" surrounded by scroll engraving. The barrel has a dovetail mounted folding Beach front sight that has a combination folding blade, and globe front sight with a buckhorn Model 1879 rifle rear sight. The top of the wrist of the stock has a filler in place of where a tang sight would typically reside. It is fitted with the two-piece trigger plate and trigger guard bow that also has fine engraving and is fitted with a single-set serrated trigger. Oil finished walnut half-stock with an engraved German silver forend tip, checkered wrist, forearm and detachable checkered walnut pistol grip, and fitted with a hickory cleaning rod with a brass knurled front ferrule and slotted rear ferrule. The steel buttplate is stamped "US" on top of the tang ahead of engraving. Correct boxed script "SWP/1885" (Samuel W. Porter) inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist and a circled script "P" proofmark behind the checkered panel on bottom. These rifles all have a blued barrel and color casehardened receiver and components.

Very fine, retains 95% professionally restored blue finish on the barrel and receiver and 40% original case colors strongest in protected areas with flaking and smooth gray and brown patinas on the balance. The well-executed scroll engraving is sharp and deep. The stock is fine as re-oiled, with well defined checkering, moderately worn on the forearm, a few minor chips and scratches, and a crisp cartouche. The set trigger does not function properly, otherwise mechanically excellent.