Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1884 "Trapdoor" Rifle
Serial Number: 498053
Year of Manufacture: The serial number dates this rifle to late 1890, Antique
Caliber: .45-70 Govt.
Action Type: Single-Shot Forward Pivoting Breech-Block “Trapdoor” Rifle
Barrel Length: 32 1/2” Round, Approximately.
Sights/Optics: The iron sights have been removed from this rifle. The barrel shank has two drilled and tapped, but not filled, holes.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one piece bright polished smooth walnut with a metal nose cap, two barrel bands secured by springs, a lock plate, a straight wrist, a straight comb, and a metal semi-crescent buttplate. The sling swivels have been removed from the front trigger guard and the front barrel band, the latter of which has also had the stacking ring removed. The stock has handling and storage marks, as well as scuffs, scratches, and compressions. There are a series of cracks on both sides of the wrist, but the stock seems sturdy, with no play. The LOP is approximately 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The buttplate has scattered surface oxidation throughout, along with handling and storage wear. Overall, the stock is in Good Plus condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with defined rifling. There is some fouling in the bore, and erosion in the bore and grooves, the latter more prominent at the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates a 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains 90% of its metal refinish. There are handling and storage marks, as well as scuffs and draglines. There are scattered freckles of oxidation coming through the finish. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. Notably, the hammer screw is missing. Additionally, the lock plate is a post-Indian Wars Bannerman replacement as evidenced by the lack of a “Springfield” marking and the presence of the “1884” date stamp. Overall, the rifle is in Very Good condition as a refinished Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There are quarter and half cock hammer positions. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork, and Accessories: None. No ramrod is included with this rifle.
Our Assessment: The 1884 variant of the "Trapdoor" Springfield rifle represents the second to last iteration of the venerable "Trapdoor" design. The .45-70 "Trapdoor" Springfield is the US Army shoulder arm most closely associated with the Indian Wars. Indeed, it was "there" in the isolated outposts and long forgotten skirmishes that made up the less glorious military life, as well as the better known campaigns against the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Apache, and Comanche. This M-1884 was produced a few months before the last "battle" of the Indian Wars, the Battle of Wounded Knee in December 1890, and could've also easily seen service with National Guard units called to fight in the Spanish-American War.
This M-1884 Trapdoor Springfield Rifle was made in late 1890, remains in Very Good condition as a refinished Antique, and features a very shootable bore. A great relic of the US trooper of the late 19th century, the "dogfaced soldier in dirty shirt blue".
RIFLE