USMA Springfield 1888 Trapdoor Service Rifle .45-70 Bayonet Ramrod 1887
SOLD FOR: $1226.99
LSB#: 210527PP01
Make: Springfield
Model: 1888 Trapdoor Service Rifle Bayonet Ramrod
Serial Number: 354044
Year of Manufacture: 1887 (oldguns.net)
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Single Shot Trapdoor
Markings: The top of the breechblock is marked “U. S. / MODEL / 1873”. The right lockplate is marked with the Springfield Eagle and “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD”. The left side of the barrel is marked with a “V”, “P”, an Eagle head proof and a second “P”. The top of the buttplate in front of the mounting screw is marked “U S”. The right sides of the barrel bands are marked “U”. The right side of the buttstock is “47 / 514”. The rear of the buttsstock at the toe is marked “B / 21”. With some imagination you can see a faint circle “P” proof. It is easily overlooked. Most of the markings to the stock are faint and difficult to clearly make out.
Barrel Length: 32 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a rectangular base set on the barrel. The rear sight is a Buffington ladder sight that was used on the M1884 rifles. There is a “U” notch sight fixed to the rear of the ladder for use as a battle sight when the ladder is folded down. The base of the sight is adjustable for windage. The right side of the ladder is marked from “2-14”, with a hash line every 100 yards. The top right corner of the ladder is marked “R”. The left side of the ladder is marked “15-20” with a hash line every 50 yards.There are four different sights for use when the ladder is raised: there is a small peep sight at the bottom of the slider for use as a battle sight, a “U” notch in the base of a triangle for use from 200-1400 yards, a peep near the top of the slider for use at 1400 yards, and a “U” notch at the very top of the slider for use from 1500-2000.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece walnut with a smooth straight grip. The buttstock has a steel carbine style buttplate. The forend is nearly as long as the barrel, with a blued steel nose cap. The forend is held with two steel barrel bands. There is a sling swivel at the front of the trigger guard and a sling swivel and stacking swivel on the bottom of the front barrel band. There are scattered compressions and dings through the finish. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate exhibits typical wear for an antique rifle, finish loss, patina, adn light frosting. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray, with some deterioration to the rifling. There is light surface erosion in the bore. No major deep pitting.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its current metal finish. The barrel and bands have turned to patina. The lockplate and breechblock have some very faint case color remaining but have mostly turned to patina. There are some scattered scratches and dings on the barrel. The bottom metal assembly shows scattered scratching and surface oxidation. The hammer has lost its finish and shows oxidation. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are mainly clear and the barrel proofs are a little light. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has quarter and half-cock safety positions. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None included
Our Assessment: The first thing that catches anyones eye about this rifle is the Ramrod Bayonet and the great even aged patina throughout. The Springfield Research Service has this rifle serial number 354044 as a service rifle 11/22/1889 USMA (TURNED IN). The USMA is the United States Military Academy Westpoint and post Civil War was training future fighters of the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War. We wish this rifle could talk. It would make a great piece for any Historical Military Collector with potential for more research and future discussions.