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range rifle #162,045 made with detachable pistol grip. A total of 24 long
range rifles were made with Sharps vernier tang and spirit level sights.” The detachable pistol grip is not with the rifle currently. These 24 rifles are not
fitted with a standard rear sight and have no holes drilled, fall in the 162000-162500 serial range, have six-groove rifling, and a buttplate identical to a Hotchkiss rifle. A boxed script “SWP/1881” cartouche is marked on the left wrist. The left rear of the barrel is marked with “V/P/eagle head/P” proofs, and the top of the barrel at the breech with the letters “H/R”. The breechblock is marked “U.S./MODEL/1873” and the lock plate is marked with the eagle/shield motif and “U.S./SPRINGFIELD”. Three-click tumbler and smooth trigger. Blue finish with casehardened breechblock and barrel tang and oil
finished walnut stock. A circled “P” proof is marked behind the trigger guard. The buttplate has no “US” marking on the tang as normally found on standard issue
Trapdoor rifles. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion and Rock Island Arsenal leather sling. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% plus arsenal refinished blue finish on the barrel with the balance having turned mostly to a smooth brown patina, some very light patches of pitting (under the finish), and 60% plus vivid original case colors. Stock is fine as lightly refinished with numerous scattered light dents, scratches, and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
LOT 1224
VeryScarce U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Lee Vertical Action Single Shot Trials Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 33, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. On June 23, 1874, Congress approved “For the purpose of testing Mr. Lee’s breech loading gun under the direction of the Secretary of War the sum of ten thousand dollars is hereby appropriated.”These rare Model 1875 rifles were
manufactured by Springfield Armory under the supervision of inventor James Paris Lee. After one year, 143 rifles were completed using the appropriated $10,000, working out to a cost of approximately $69.93 per rifle. These rifles were found capable of a rate of fire of about 40 rounds per minute. The Model 1875 drew inspiration from the Martini and Peabody series of single shot falling block rifles. The biggest change introduced by Lee was the use of a combination hammer and breech lever; from a decocked position, a push forward on the hammer drops and locks the breechblock, which automatically unlocks and closes when a round is chambered. Once closed, the hammer can be thumbed back to a locked half-cock position for carry or clear back to full for immediate action. Blade front sight doubling as a lug for a socket bayonet and 1,100 yard Model 1873 folding ladder rear sight. Serial numbers “33” marked on the right of the removable hammer and underneath the breechblock. The upper tang is stamped “U.S.” above “PAT. MAR. 16. 1875”. It has two “U” marked barrel bands. The front band has stacking sling swivels, and the trigger guard has a single swivel through the front. The smooth straight grip stock is stamped with Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin’s script “ESA” cartouche on the left side ahead of the wrist and a “U” and circled script “P” stamped behind the trigger guard. The buttplate is stamped “US” on the heel. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion, US socket bayonet (without scabbard), and a period leather sling. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus attractive original blue finish on the barrel with some light muzzle wear, 85% plus oil quenched case colors on receiver with some light wear at the breech. Stock is excellent with some light handling marks, two pin holes on the upper right rear from a former collection tag, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1225
Excellent U.S. Inspected Winchester Third Model Hotchkiss Model 1883 Bolt Action Musket with Bayonet - Serial no. 28472, 45-70 Government cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Winchester-Hotchkiss was originally designed by Benjamin Hotchkiss and features a turn bolt action design with a tubular magazine that loads under the bolt. Hotchkiss sold the patent rights to Winchester in 1877, and the resulting firearms were Winchester’s first attempt at manufacturing and marketing a bolt action rifle. These Third Models can be easily distinguished from
the earlier models by the two-piece stock and exposed frame. This example was manufactured in 1884. Blade front sight and 1,200 yard Buckhorn folding
tang has the three-line patent marking. The upper tang is marked “{MODEL OF 1883}”, and the forward area of the receiver ahead of the trigger guard has the serial number. The top of the barrel is marked with
the two-line Winchester address ahead of the rear barrel band, “U.S./VP(circled)/D.F.C.” David F. Clark inspection mark on top of the breech with “D.F.C.” marks on the receiver and bolt, a boxed script “DFC” cartouche on the right wrist of the stock, and a boxed script cartouche on the left wrist. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes US socket bayonet and period leather sling. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% bright original blue finish on the barrel and bands with some light handling marks and light muzzle wear from bayonet mounting. 90% plus vivid original case colors on receiver with a patch of dark corrosion visible on left forward side. Wood is also excellent with attractive raised grain, some light dents and scratches, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
Collector’s Fact
One of only 143 Springfield 1875 Lee Vertical Action trial rifles produced.
ladder rear sight. The lower
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LOT 1223
Rare Documented U.S. Springfield Model 1881 Long Range Trapdoor Rifle, One of 24 with Sharps Peep Sight - Serial no. 162045, 45-80-500 cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. This exact rifle is photographed and mentioned by serial number on pg. 94 of “The 45-70 Springfield” by Albert J. Frasca. The caption states, “Long
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD BY FRASCA
Collector’s Fact
According to The .45-70 Springfield, only 24 long range 1881 Trapdoor rifles with Sharps vernier tang and spirit level sights were produced.