VERY FINE, U.S. SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 TRAPDOOR RIFLE

$2,350.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 218-461

Mass produced by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts between 1873 and 1884, a total of 216,000 of the .45-70 caliber Trapdoor rifles were made.

This rifle specimen, in extraordinarily fine original condition, measures a total of 52” in length, bears serial number #244498 (made in the 2nd or 3rd quarter 1883), and is one of some 34,706 units made that year. Its round barrel measures almost 33” long, has three-groove rifling in .45 caliber and accommodates a centerfire .45-70 metallic cartridge. Bore is absolutely minty, shiny bright. Iron surfaces wear a fine, blue / black factory coloring and show excellent original casehardening on the low-arch breech block and barrel tang. Breechblock, with its wide, round corners, bears the clear stamping “US / MODEL / 1873 at the hinge and the serial # on the upper flat at back of the receiver. Iron lockplate, with no bevel, fits flush with stock and exhibits a spreadwinged eagle motif front of hammer. Stamping “US / SPRINGFIELD” forward of eagle.

Mechanics crisp, excellent. Hammer has the fine knurled lip. Stacking swivels at the upper barrel band; regular swivel at the triggerguard. Excellent black walnut stock never cleaned and exhibits a mellow patina with very few handling marks. Stock does show one small (1/2” x 1/8”) gouge on right side forend at mid-center adjacent to barrel. Very fine, deep government cartouche SMP / 1883” stamped on left wrist area. Stock bears the firing test proof in fancy script “P” (within a circle) to right triggerguard plate on stock underside. The M73 was the first trapdoor model to bear that proof symbol. Barrel has Model 1879 long-range rear sight with the folding adjustable slide leaf. Front sight blade held by pin. Longarm has its original M1878 cupped cleaning rod below the stock. A very fine M1873 trapdoor.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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