US Springfield Model 1884 .45-70 Rifle (422876)

Availability: In stock

AUD$4,250.00

This model 1884 was made in 1888, which is clearly marked on the left side of the stock. The breech block retains most of its colour case with some light staining. The rest of the rifle retains 90 % of the original blueing, and shows very little use with an excellent condition barrel.

The stock shows some storage dings and dents and the rifle is complete with its original cleaning rod.

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Details

The Model 1873 "Trapdoor" Springfield was the first standard issue breech-loading rifle adopted by the United States Army (although the Model 1866 trapdoor had seen limited issue to troops along the Bozeman Trail in 1867). The gun, in both full-length and carbine versions, was widely used in the Black Hills War and in subsequent battles against the Native Americans.

The Model 1873 was the fifth variation of the Allin trapdoor design, and was named for its hinged breechblock, which opened like a trapdoor. It was superseded by an improved model, the Springfield Model 1884, also in .45-70 caliber.

The Model 1884 incorporated a significant number of improvements that had been made between 1878 and 1879. It also featured a serrated trigger that had been incorporated into the Springfield rifle design in 1883.

The most dramatic change to the rifle design, which is often considered to be the identifying feature of the model 1884, was a new rear sight which had been designed by Lieutenant Colonel R. A. Buffington of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. This sight however was not perfected until 1885. The principle feature of this new sight was a rack and pinion style windage adjustment. Unlike previous sights, the base was not used for any position other than point blank. The raised leaf had graduations from 200 to 1400 yards. A new barrel band was also designed to accommodate this new sight so that it could lay flat in the point black position.

A round rod bayonet model was also produced. This, like the Springfield Model 1880, was an attempt to combine the ramrod (aka cleaning rod) and bayonet into a single unit. The Model 1884 version included an improved retaining mechanism, as the Model 1880's retaining mechanism had proved to be problematic.