Page 155 - Auction84-Book1

and target shooting. Of those, 125 are estimated to have been of the Type I rifles manufactured c. 1877- 1879 and 252 of the Type IIs which were manufactured in 1877-1881. These are easily among the most desirable of all the rifles manufactured by the Springfield Armory thanks to their rarity, quality, and connection to military officers. This example was likely manufactured c. 1878 as it shows some features of the Type I rifles and some of the Type IIs. As is standard, it is not serial numbered, but it is marked “37” on the stock by the upper tang and “6” on the inside of the trigger guard bow. The lock has the standard U.S. Springfield markings along with “1873”, and the breech block has the late Type I/Type II “U.S./ MODEL/1873” marking that lacks the eagle head and crossed arrows. The 26 inch barrel is fitted with a combination blade and globe front sight, standard Model 1873 folding ladder rear sight graduated to 1,200 yards, and Type II tang mounted peep sight, mounted with one screw. The lock, top of the receiver,
breech block, upper tang, trigger guard, barrel band, forend cap, and buttplate all have flourishes of factory floral scroll
engraving. It is also fitted with the early type reshafted cleaning rod with nickeled, knurled ferrule, as well as the detachable checkered pistol grip. The forearm and wrist are both checkered. The “GDM” George D. Moller Collection mark is on the stock at the toe. CONDITION: Good, retains traces of the original blue finish on the barrel with a spot of discoloration visible at the breech, the balance mostly a smooth grey patina, silvered case colors, a few scattered patches of light
pitting, and crisp engraving. The revarnished wood is very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches throughout, a minor chip absent from the right of the forearm, and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
153
LOT 280
Desirable U.S. Springfield
Officer’s Model 1875 Type
I/Type II Transitional Trapdoor Rifle - NSN, 45-70 Government cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only 477 of Officer’s Model rifles
were manufactured by the Springfield Armory between 1875 and 1885 to
fulfill the request by U.S. Army officers for suitable sporting rifles for use in hunting
Collector’s Fact
Of the 477 U.S. Springfield Officer’s Model Trapdoor rifles produced, only approximately 252 are Type II.
SIMILAR EXAMPLES PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD BY FRASCA