This scarce and desirable Mode 1875 Trapdoor Officer's Rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory c. 1885. This Type III Officer's Rifle is one of 100 rifles manufactured in 1885 which feature a 5/8-inch longer stock, square profile nose cap and "SWP/1885" final inspection mark on the left stock wrist. The rifle has a 26-inch barrel secured by a single band, walnut half-stock with checkered forearm, wrist, detachable checkered pistol grip and nickel-silver nose cap. The rifle has a hickory cleaning rod with un-plated brass tip and slotted ferrule, oval base vernier tang sight mounted on the stock wrist, buckhorn rear sight, folding combination globe front sight and single set-trigger. The barrel, barrel band, receiver and buttplate have a commercial quality blue finish. The 'low-arch' breech block, lock plate, hammer and carbine style trigger guard are color casehardened with vivid case colors. The nose cap, top of the barrel band, top of the receiver, breech block, lock plate, hammer, barrel tang, trigger guard and buttplate heel are engraved with well executed open scrollwork. The lock plate is roll-stamped with the Springfield Eagle/Shield motif followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in two lines. The top of the breech block is roll-stamped: "U.S./MODEL/1878". The top of the barrel is stamped with a "P" proof mark between the rear sight and the receiver and the left side of the barrel is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head/P" proof and inspection marks. "U.S." is stamped on the buttplate heel behind screw. An encircled, script, "P" proof mark is stamped on the bottom of the stock behind the checkering. The Model 1875 Officer's Model Rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory to provide Army officers with a high quality sporting-grade rifle that utilized the .45-70 service cartridge. The Model 1875 Officer's Model were available for private purchase by officers; a total of 477 rifles were manufactured between 1875 and 1885. The Model 1875 Officer's Rifle displayed the high degree of craftsmanship that characterized rifles manufactured by Springfield Armory during the 19th Century.

Excellent. This exceptional rifle is all original and retains 95% plus of the original high quality blue finish. The blue finish on the barrel shows some thinning on the top between the rear sight and the receiver. The buttplate has finish wear on the contact points on the heel and toe. There are several very minor age spots on the right side of the barrel near the muzzle. The breech block, lock plate, hammer and tang retain 98% plus of the vivid original case colors. The case colors on the trigger guard are muted but remain at least 95% intact. The vernier sight has 90% plus of the high polish blue finish. The stock and pistol grip are in excellent condition with crisp checkering. At least 95% of the original varnish remains intact. The "SWP/1885" inspection mark and encircled "P" proof mark are crisp. Stock wear is limited to a few very insignificant handling and storage marks. This is an exceptional example of an extraordinary U.S. Springfield Model 1875 Trapdoor officer's Rifle that would be difficult to improve upon.