U.S. Springfield

A scarce Springfield U.S. Model 1873 Cavalry Carbine. Inspector’s initials of “VPP” marked on the barrel. “U.S. Model 1873” marked on trapdoor. “U.S Springfield” marked on the receiver side plate. The original cartouche on left side of the stock is Illegible apparently because of handling wear, rather than sanding. The carbine has its original saddle ring and bar, adjustable ladder sights, walnut stock and blued finish. Bore is bright with oxidation spotting and lead fouling but retains strong rifling. Wooden stock shows handling wear. Very light oxidation spotting on trapdoor assembly. Mechanically very good. 22″ barrel. Has typical stock dings for a 137 year-old gun. (See detailed photos.)  This appears to be a correct original cavalry carbine rather than a cut-down rifle. Rear sight is correctly marked “C” for carbine. Serial # 149909X places it toward the end of producton of the Model 1873. (EECP-747)

Model 1884 Trapdoor Saddle Ring Cavalry Carbine .45-70,  in overall good condition.  22″ barrel. Has typical stock dings for a 130+ year gun.  This appears to be a correct original carbine rather than a cut-down rifle. Rear sight is correctly marked “C” for carbine. Serial # 39257X. Made in 1888. (PEHN-185)  $2,100

U.S. Springfield Armory 1884 Trapdoor Rifle, chambered in .45-70. Serial # 52516X.  Standard 32-5/8 inch round barrel. Good overall condition, with typical stock dings. Given its high serial number, it was likely produced in 1887 or 1888–just before introduction of the Model 1888. Has the desirable Buffington adjustable sight. The bore is far above average for a blackpowder-era rifle. The rifling is sharp and defined. The bore is not truly “shiny”– it is more “shiny-gray.” There are signs of just VERY slight pitting in the grooves –almost imperceptible. The trapdoor release lever has a slight wobble (typical), but the action is tight. The hammer click stops are all there — and crisp and solid. The trigger let-off is typical military weight, but crisp. I could only find one spot of finish pitting, and that is at the top-rear of the buttplate. There is only one significant stock ding, below the rear sight on the left side. Except for the top of the rear sight, which looks more shiny, the finish wear and patina all over this rifle is uniform, so this appears to be an unaltered rifle–although it may have gone back to the arsenal once early in its life. The cleaning rod shows little wear, so it mat have been replace or refinished. The cartouche box is visible, but faint. It seems to have been worn off in carry, rather than sanded off. All in all, this is a nice honest Trapdoor.

This is a nice, original unaltered rifle that would make a good representative sample for a collection, or a practical shooter. (PEHN-184) $1,475

Original Springfield Armory Model 1896 Krag Cavalry Carbine, in .30-40 Krag. This is an original and correct Model 1896 Saddle Ring cavalry carbine! Nice bore! Passed a muzzle bullet test. Nice even and matching surfaces. 98%+ bluing. Wood finish is VG++ with sharp P cartouche and a faint 1897 cartouche. Correct cavalry saddle ring bar and saddle ring. Correct one-piece front sight. Some speckling-patina on buttplate, otherwise metal finish is VG++ to excellent, overall. Has a 7239X serial number. (Circa 1897). Includes an original 3-piece cleaning rod and oiler in the butt trap. (ELUB-106).

Springfield Armory Model 1896 Krag re-work carbine, in .30-40 Krag. This is probably an arsenal re-work or possibly a Bannerman re-work with a post-1900 style military 2-piece front sight. Good Bore, with solid rifling, but not shiny. Passed a muzzle bullet test. Nice even and matching surfaces. 90%+ bluing. Wood finish is VG++ with sharp cartouche. No saddle ring. Front band is pinned, as is typical of arsenal re-works. Some speckling-patina on buttplate, otherwise metal finish is VG+ to nearly excellent, overall. Has a 5073X serial number. (Circa 1897). Includes a period leather sling in fair to good condition. (EBLY-105).