Pedersoli Officer’s Model 1873 Trapdoor Springfield .45-70 Gov’t Rifle 1998
Sold For: $1,145.00
LSB#: 220621DS008
Make: Pedersoli, Imported by Dixie Gun Works
Model: Officer’s Model 1873 Trapdoor
Serial Number: TD1200
Year of Manufacture: 1998 (BL date code)
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Breech Loading Single Shot Rifle
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “TD11200”, a circled “dp” logo, “PEDERSOLI CAL. 45-70 / MADE IN ITALY CAT. 9403” and with two Italian proof marks. The left side of the receiver at the chamber is marked with three Italian proof marks and a boxed “BL” date code. The left side of the receiver is marked “TD1200” and “DIXIE GUN WORK / TENNESSEE”. The underside of the breechblock is marked “S41”. The lockplate is marked “U. S. / SPRINGFIELD” and with an American Eagle.
Barrel Length: The round barrel is 26” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall brass beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a folding tang mounted peep sight adjustable for elevation and windage.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a once piece checkered walnut with a satin finish. The buttstock has a straight grip with a carbine style steel case colored buttplate. The forend has a polished stainless steel nosecap with a hole in its front face for a wooden cleaning rod, and the forend is held with a single case colored barrel band. The stock has a few scattered light nicks, most notable on the left of the buttstock toward the rear. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows a few light marks. The stock rates in Fine-Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel and trigger are blued, the forend nosecap appears to be polished stainless steel, the receiver, breechblock, lockplate, hammer and trigger guard are case colored.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are only a few scattered light marks with no notable wear or damage. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. 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: This rifle comes with a wooden cleaning rod stored under the barrel,.
Our Assessment: There were thousands of muzzle-loading percussion rifles left over from the Civil War, and Erskine S. Allin, the master armorer at Springfield, designed a method to convert them into metallic cartridge breech loaders. This design was the basis for Springfield’s Model 1873 Trapdoor rifle. The 1873 and is variants (m1879, 1884, etc.) were used throughout the Indian Wars and many were used by secondary troops fighting in the Spanish American War. Fewer than 500 original Officer’s Model Rifles were produced by Springfield Armory between 1875 and 1885. In contrast to the standard rifles and carbines, these rifles featured target sights and checkered wood grips and forestock. These were not issued by the Army, but were available for purchase by officers for sporting use. This is a very nice looking reproduction of the Model 1873 Officer’s Model Trapdoor rifle. It has a 26” barrel chambered in .45-70 Govt., a checkered stock and a Tang Sight. The rifle has a blued barrel and case colored receiver. The rifle is in Excellent condition with 98% of its metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. This rifle can be used for hunting any North American game animal and for informal target shooting. Please see our photos and good luck!
