US Model of 1884 Springfield Trapdoor rifle in .45-70 Gov. This rifle is in good condition with a nice patina on all metal surfaces. No pitting or rust is present. The serial number on this rifle is 321666, which places its date of manufacture to between January and March of 1886. Springfield Armory produced only 34,162 service rifles in 1886. The Model 1884, which was the second model of the .45-70 trapdoor service rifles, was manufactured at Springfield Armory from 1886-1890. The Barrel on this Rifle is in good condition with good rifling remaining. The barrel is 32.60” long with a 0.730” barrel diameter at the muzzle. The left, rear side of the barrel has the serif “V” view proof stamp over the serif “P” firing proof stamp over the eagle head over the second serif “P” firing proof stamp, indicating proof firing with a special 80 grain cartridge of the assembled barrel, receiver and breech block. The top of the barrel has a serif “A” barrel inspector’s stamp and another, a serif “D” on the right side adjacent to the receiver. Just below this “D” stamp is a witness line that aligns perfectly with a corresponding witness line on the forward section of the receiver. The bore of the rifle is in good condition but is dark. The rifling is light but present. The chamber is in good condition and matches the patina on the rest of the rifle. The breech plug and tang is in good condition. The top of the tang and bottom portion of the plug matches the patina on the rest of the metal surfaces. The Tang Screw is the correct single-slot type. The Front Sight Stud remains tightly brazed to the barrel. The Front Sight Blade appears to be broken off when compared to pictures of other Model 1884 rifles. The Front Sight Blade is still tightly pinned into the stud, which exhibits some wear on the sides. The Rear Sight is the correct Model 1884 Rifle Sight, also known as the Buffington Rear Sight. The sight is in good condition, retaining 70% plus of its original blued finish. The open “buckhorn” sight is on the slide, which was used for rolling fire set at 266 yards. The top of the slide has the second open sight, which is a “u” shaped aperture. The bottom of the arrow shaped opening at the bottom of the slide is the third “u” shaped open aperture. There are two closed apertures, one at the top and one at the bottom. Both arrow lines, (on the right for the right-side range markings; and the angled line on the left for the left-side range markings) are still visible. Both the original Windage Knob and Binding Knob are present. The single-slot base screw is present and is in mint condition with an unmarred slot. The Lower Band is the correct Model 1885 Lower Band with the dish at the top to accommodate the Model 1884 Rear Sight. The Band is correctly marked with the serif “U” stamp and it is in god condition, with a finish that matches the rest of the metal surfaces. The Lower Band Spring retains the vast majority of its original blue finish. The Upper Band is the correct Model 1874 Rifle Upper Barrel Band with the larger “U” stamp, which was incorporated in 1879. The Band finish is similar to the rest of the metal surfaces. The sling swivel is present and moves freely as does the stacking swivel, with one side slightly bent. The Front Band Spring retains the vast majority of its original blued finish and both bands remain solidly on the stock. The Breech Block is a good condition Seventh Type that is crisply marked “U.S./MODEL/1884,” adjacent to the hinge point. The Breech Block retains 70% of the original color case-hardened finish on both the top and interior surfaces and is beautiful. The breech face is good and also exhibits finish the matches the rest of the metal surfaces. The Cam Latch is the correct Third Type with the unground rivet properly exposed leaving the square-shanked rivet visible. The Cam Latch retains 95% of its original blue finish with wear noted on the thumb latch release portion. The Cam Latch works perfectly and the breech block is very tight when it battery with no movement noticed. The original firing pin is present with a still sharp, pronounced striker end. The Receiver is the correct .45-70 type with gas ports milled into both the left and right sides. The chamber area is in good condition and its finish matches the rest of the metal surfaces. The rear of the Receiver has the full serial number "321666,” without the characteristic wear over the “6” from the cam latch assembly, indicating this rifle has been lightly used. The Receiver retains 70% plus of its original dark oil quenched finish. The Lock Plate is the correct Third Type with the large shield on the eagle. Both the eagle and the serif “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” stampings remain but are light. The lock plate retains 50% of its original oil case-hardened finish with freckling present. The Hammer retains 50% of its original oil case-hardened finish as does the Hammer Screw, which is the correct single slot type. The Trigger Guard is the correct two-piece type used up until the Model 1888 Rifle with the single-piece design was adopted. The Trigger Guard Plate is the correct Model 1863 pattern with rounded pads, which was used almost exclusively on Model 1884 production. The Trigger Guard Bow is the correct Model 1863 pattern that is somewhat unique in that it was threaded for a screw, which is how the lower sling swivel is attached. The Trigger Guard Plate, Bow and Sling Swivel all retain 40% of the beautiful, original blue finish, which was introduced on furniture at Springfield in 1885. The bottom portion of the plate retains virtually all of its original blued finish as do both trigger bow screw nuts. The original rear sling swivel is present and it moves freely and retains the vast majority of its original blued finish. Both single-slot wood screws are present and both retain virtually all of their original blued finish with unmarred slots. The Trigger is the correct Second Type with longitudinal grooves and an angled tip that points to the bottom of the guard with cross-hatched grooves. The Trigger retains 50% plus of its original oil case-hardened finish. The trigger release is still crisp. The Stock is the original Model 1873 Rifle Stock. No cartouche is present on the stock. The stock exhibits numerous very small dings and scratches with what appears to be a small loss adjacent to the front trigger plate inlet. The stock has a small crack that runs around the rear tang of the receiver. Otherwise, the stock is very solid throughout and it retains its original oil finish. The Nose Cap is still solidly in place is in very fine condition, retaining very little of its original blued finish. The correct Model 1877 Rifle Butt Plate is present and features significant dings and wear. Both single-slot Butt Plate Screws are present and both are in good condition. The stock carries the correct Model 1878 Rifle Ramrod, Second Type, with cupped end. The ramrod retains 70% plus of the original blued finish on the exposed portion and still attaches securely when stowed. All of the original finger cannelures at the other end of the ramrod remain crisply machined. This is a good condition Springfield Armory Model 1884 Rifle from 1886 that has seen use and shows the wear to prove it. This rifle remains in firing condition and operates perfectly. Modern .45-70 rounds should NOT be fired in this weapon. Only black powder .45-70 Gov rounds are suitable for use in this firearm. As with all used firearms, please have a competent gunsmith verify that this firearm is safe to fire. This rifle is an antique so no FFL is required.
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