Page 160 - Auction84-Book1
P. 160

      LOT 295
Very Fine 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. An improved model 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 “1865” on the lock and “1866” on the breech block. The left stock flat is marked with three faint cartouches. “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: Fine, showing mostly bright grey patina on the barrel, buttplate, and bands, with the breech block and lock retaining 85% plus of the original dark oil quenched and vibrant casehardened finishes. The wood is very good with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and a few hairline cracks. The included bayonet is fine, sling is very good. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 296
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Infantry Rifle Conversion of a Burnside Model 1865 Spencer Repeating Saddle Ring Carbine with Bayonet - Serial no. 17933, 50 RF cal., 32 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. In 1871, Springfield Armory converted approximately 1,108 Burnside- Spencer carbines by fitting the actions with rifle length barrels chambered for .50 rimfire ammunition with three-groove rifling and adding the Stabler cut-off device. The armory also refurbished the parts and added a nearly full length forearm with two barrel bands and a slotted cleaning rod.
Spencers were easily among the most advanced weapons of the Civil War and remained in use during the late-19th century Indian Wars in the hands of both the U.S. Army and various Native Americans. The left side of the stock, just behind the saddle ring base, is marked with an oval script “ESA” (partially struck) inspection cartouche of Springfield Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin,
and the other components have the standard Burnside and armory markings. Matching serial number “17933” marked on the left breech end of the arsenal replacement barrel and top rear of the
frame. It has a blade/bayonet lug front and notch and folding ladder rear sights. Includes a US socket bayonet and period leather sling.
CONDITION: Very fine as arsenal refurbished, retaining 75% plus arsenal blue finish on the barrel with some areas of light thinning, a few light scratches, and scattered light freckling. 80% vivid refinished case colors with a few areas of silvery patina. Wood is fine with defined edges, scattered scratches and dents, and a crack visible ahead of the buttplate tang. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is fine with sharp edges and
some light pitting, sling is very good with some light cracking.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
         158
cartridge arms. The most cost-effective solution to keep up with the rapidly advancing arms technology was to convert these muzzle loading rifle-muskets to breech loaders. Around 1868 the government contracted with Remington for a small number of their rolling block actions which were fitted to .58 caliber barrels and modified stocks from Model 1861/63 rifle-muskets, the barrels received a brazed in liner to support a new chambering in the then standard .50-70 Government cartridge. Most of these conversions initially maintained the original barrel length of the rifle-musket, with almost the entire stock being later shortened to 36 inches like this example. The standard two-line Remington address and patent dates ending in 1866 are visible on the upper tang, “255” on top of the barrel at the breech, and “E.S.A.” and “S.W.P.” cartouches on the left of the wrist. The barrel retains the block blade front and single leaf Model 1864 rear sight. The stock has been correctly modified to two-band configuration, with the third band spring correctly filled on the right, which is faintly visible, and fitted with the “US” marked buttplate. Discreet “GDM”, George D. Moller collection mark, is visible at the toe. Includes a “US” marked socket bayonet, leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Fine, retains traces of the original case color patterns on the receiver with the balance a grey and silvery-grey patina and the remainder of the metal showing mostly the armory bright finish with a few scattered patches of light pitting. The reoiled wood is also fine as armory modified with some scattered minor dings and scratches, a stabilized hairline crack in the right of the forearm, and legible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. The bayonet is fine with some light pitting. A fine representative example of one of the most scarce U.S. Remington rolling blocks! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 298
Scarce U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1869 Cadet Trapdoor Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 1044, 50 CF cal., 29 5/8 inch round bbl., bright/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 3,400 of these cadet rifles were manufactured from 1869 to 1876. They are scarce in comparison to many of the other trapdoor variations, and many originals have been destroyed or altered over the years. The main difference between the Model 1869 cadets and earlier models is the shorter barrel and the use of new stocks rather than a repurposed musket stock. This example has standard markings including “1870” dated breech block, “1864” dated lock, “ESA” cartouche on the left flat, and matching numbers on the barrel and receiver at the breech. “GDM”, George D. Moller Collection marking on the toe of the stock. Includes a correct cadet sized socket bayonet marked “US” and wood tampion. CONDITION: Fine, showing bright finish, 70% oil quenched casehardening, and patterns of the muted case colors on the lock with the balance mostly a
smooth grey patina with a few scattered patches of very light surface pitting. The wood is also fine with a few scattered minor dings and scratches and a short hairline crack near the buttplate. Included bayonet is very good with some light pitting. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 297
Scarce Very Fine U.S. Remington/Springfield Armory Rolling Block Rifle Conversion of a Civil War Model 1861/63 Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - Serial no. 255, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 36 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. At the conclusion of the Civil War, the U.S. Government found itself with a surplus of hundreds of thousands of muzzle loading rifle-muskets that were quickly becoming obsolete due to the introduction of breech loading
Collector’s Fact
Approximately 3,400 U.S. Springfield Model 1869 Cadet rifles were manufactured.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
  













































































   158   159   160   161   162