Page 141 - 83-BOOK3
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 Extremely Fine and Scarce Early Production Trapdoor Rifles
     LOT 3221
Fine U.S. Springfield
Model 1865 First Model Allin Conversion Breech Loading Rifle with Bayonet - NSN, 58 RF
cal., 37 3/4 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1865 First Type Allin Trapdoor design was invented by Erskine S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory, as a solution to converting the massive surplus of, then outdated, muzzle loading rifled-muskets manufactured during the Civil War to a more modern breech loading design. Only 5,000 of these First Model Allins (also known as the Model 1865) were manufactured by altering existing rifle-muskets to the Trapdoor system in order to allow loading from the breech end with a .58 rimfire metallic cartridge. After only one year of production, Springfield shifted to manufacturing the simpler .50-70 centerfire Model 1866 rifles, making any surviving First Models rare and desirable. This example features an “1865” dated lock, and “US” marked buttplate. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet, leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Fine, bright polished surfaces with some scattered light surface pitting, 70% oil-quenched casehardened finish on the breechblock and hammer, and 60% muted case colors on the lock with sharp markings. Stock is very good as sanded and re-oiled with some light handling marks. The ejector system is disabled otherwise mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is excellent with a few small patches of light pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3222
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1866 Second Allin Conversion Trapdoor Rifle with Bayonet - NSN, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 36 5/8 inch round bbl., bright/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Designed by Erskine S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory, to correct multiple problems encountered with the Model 1865 conversion rifles. Approximately 25,000 Civil War era muzzle loading rifle-muskets were converted at Springfield Armory to Allin’s Model 1866 breech loading system and rechambered to .50-70 CF. The Model 1866 received its baptism by fire in the hands of U.S. troops in the Hayfield Fight and Wagon Box Fight, both a day apart on the 1st and 2nd of August 1867 along the Bozeman Trail, in which the severely outnumbered U.S. troops successfully held off several hundred Native American warriors. This example is dated “1864” on the lock and “1866” on the breech block. The left stock flat is marked with two boxed script cartouches “SWP” (Samuel W. Porter) and “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin). “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet, period leather sling, and wood tampion.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine bright polish visible on the barrel, bands, buttplate, and trigger guard. The breech block retains half of the original black oil-quenched casehardened finish. The lock retains 85% slightly muted original case colors with some light surface pitting on the hammer. Stock is excellent with distinctive edges, light handling marks, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine. An absolutely stunning example of a second model Allin conversion rifle.
Trapdoor rifle, one of approximately 11,192 rifles manufactured c. 1870-1873. The defining characteristics of this model include no serial number, a high arch underneath the breech block measuring 2 3/16” across, and the front receiver section measures 1 13/32” long; which is 2 1/8” shorter than the Model 1868 before it and the same length as on the subsequent Model 1873. It has the standard fixed blade front sight and 1,000 yard notch/folding ladder rear sight, an “1863” dated lock, “MODEL/1870/eagle head/crossed arrows/ US” marked breechblock, “US” marked buttplate, and a circled script “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche on the left stock flat. These Model 1870 rifles and carbines were the final trapdoors manufactured in .50-70 Government before the introduction of the .45-70 Government cartridge and the .45 caliber trapdoor rifles and carbines that were extensively used through the late 19th century Indian Wars and even on into the Philippine-American War in the early 20th century. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes US socket bayonet, leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Excellent, with crisp bright polished surfaces with scattered very light pin-prick pitting, 85% plus of the attractive original oil-quenched casehardened finish on the receiver and breechblock, and 95% plus vivid original case colors on the lock and hammer, with sharp markings. Stock is excellent with gorgeous original wood striations and defined edges, light handling marks, occasional dents, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine with some scattered light pitting. A spectacular example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1870 rifle that would be difficult to improve upon! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
139
        Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3223
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1870 Trapdoor Rifle with Bayonet - NSN, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl.,
bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an absolutely stunning example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1870
    


















































































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