Page 150 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1319
Scarce 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by Erskine S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory, as a solution to converting the massive surplus of, then outdated, muzzle loading rifled-muskets manufactured during the Civil War to a more modern breech loading design.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, “ESA” cartouche, 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: Very good, showing mostly armoury bright and most of the greyed original oil quenched case hardening with a few scattered patches of very light surface pitting. The wood is also very good with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and a hairline crack in the right near the lock. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500 LOT 1320 Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1866 Second Allin Conversion Trapdoor Short Rifle with Bayonet - NSN, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 32 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. This example is a Short variation with an overall barrel length of 36 inches (32 5/8 inches to the face of the breech block). Not too much is known about these short variations, although a January 6th,
1883 dated Springfield Armory report mentions, “Springfield B.L.R. musket Cal. 50 Model 1866 (Short). Ready for issue. Cleaned and repaired. 1,019 on hand.” Dated “1863” on the lock and “1866” on the breech block. The left stock flat is marked with three script cartouches including that of Springfield Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet and period leather sling marked “U.S.” and “C.S. STORMS/MAKER/NEW YORK”. CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original black oil-quenched casehardened finish with some moderate pitting on the retaining piece ahead of the breech block. Barrel remains bright with only light pitting around the breech area. The lock retains 50% muted original case colors. Stock is fine as lightly arsenal refinished with some light scratches and dents, an t the right of the forend, slightly undersized around the lower tang and bottom of the buttplate, and nice cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and sling are both fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1321 Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1868 Trapdoor Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 40726, 50 CF cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This model was manufactured around 1868 to 1872 and is one of the predecessors of the famous .45-70 Springfield trapdoors. It has the standard markings and features, including one “HSH” cartouche and two sets of “ESA” and “FWS” cartouches on the left flat, “1863” dated lock, and an “1869” dated breech block. “G. Custer” is hand carved in the left of the forearm. The E.S.A. is for Erskine S. Allin, the inventor of the Springfield trapdoor and master armorer at the armory. “GDM”, George D. Moller collection marking on the toe. Includes a M1855 socket bayonet. CONDITION: Fine, showing the armoury bright finish and traces of the original case colors on the breech and lockplate with the balance of the receiver and
lock mostly a smooth grey patina and mottled brown on the buttplate. The wood is very fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches and a heavier chip/scratch on the right of the forearm. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1322
Desirable Early Production Four Digit Serial Number U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 2697, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle is early enough to have been used on the Great Plains before the Battle of Little Bighorn. While Custer’s men were armed with carbines, some of the men on Reno Hill were armed with Model 1873 rifles, which also saw hard use throughout the Western Indian Wars. It was manufactured in early 1874 with
standard markings and features including the correct “ESA” cartouche without a date, in addition to an “M.P.P.” within an oval mark on the comb. Includes an M1855 socket bayonet, scabbard with “US” frog, leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Fine, 40% traces of the arsenal refinished blue and 75% of the dark oil quenched case color with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth plum-brown or grey patina. The wood is very good with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and a chip absent on the left near the upper tang. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 LOT 1323 U.S. Springfield Model 1879 Trapdoor Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 168169, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1882, these rifles were one of the iconic weapons of the American West and were used in many of the most legendary conflicts that took place there. It has standard markings and features, “SWP/1887” cartouche, and the “GDM”, George D. Moller Collection marking on the toe of the stock. Includes a M1873 bayonet, scabbard with “US” frog, leather sling, and wood tampion. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish and 85% plus of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on the buttplate and near the muzzle. The lightly sanded and reoiled wood is fine with a small patch of filler on the left near the lock screw, some scattered minor dings and scratches, and crisp restamped cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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