Guns International #: 102046566
Seller's Inventory #: CBP21-249

Category - Military Rifles - US - Springfield Rifles - Trapdoor

Category
Military Rifles - US
Springfield Rifles - Trapdoor

***SALE PENDING***RARE Springfield Model 1886 Experimental Trapdoor Cavalry Carbine in .45-70 Gov't ** 100% Original Example! Only 1000 Made! **

Description:
This is a an exceptionally rare, 100% original, Springfield Model 1886 Experimental Trapdoor Cavalry Carbine in .45-70 caliber.  In an attempt to equip U.S. Cavalry troops with a more efficient arm than the standard Model 1873 Carbine, Springfield Armory manufactured 1000 experimental carbines in 1886 with 24" inch barrels and the Allin-system single shot action.  These Model 1886 Experimental Carbines featured a 3/4 length stock with a rounded forend tip, a 24" inch barrel, a 3-click tumbler action, a grooved trigger, a single upper barrel band fitted with a curved sling swivel (for ease of inserting the carbine into a scabbard) secured by a bandspring, a conventional lower sling swivel inlaid into the keel of the buttstock, a steel triggerguard assembly with no sling swivel provision, a Buffington rear sight marked "XC", a standard sling bar and ring on the left side of the carbine, and a trap-equipped steel buttplate which housed a multi-piece cleaning rod which was 1" inch longer than standard.  The stock itself was newly designed and manufactured for this model rather than modifying an existing pattern, and in addition to being of 3/4 length featured a long comb with a short strong wrist.  The 1886 Experimental Carbine was finished with an armory blue on all of the steel parts except for the breech block, which was color case-hardened. Almost all of the 1000 Experimental Trapdoor Cavalry Carbines produced went on to be issued to U.S. Cavalry units stationed in the American West, where they were used extensively in the ongoing American Indian Wars and various conflicts.  While the carbine proved to be an excellent weapon for the time, the advantages over the standard carbine were not great enough to warrant a full-scale switch and there were no more of these neat carbines manufactured.  Due to the relatively high attrition rate of U.S. Cavalry weapons in the American West, the number of original 1886 Experimental Cavalry Carbines surviving today is very small, making this a very sought-after Springfield.  This particular example is serial number 840178, and it remains in 100% original condition.  It has not been modified or "improved" in any way, it is just how it left the Springfield Arsenal in 1886.  The original factory blue finish on this carbine is still intact but shows some moderate honest wear and areas of prior rust that have long been removed.  The exterior of the barrel has turned a brown-blue with some scattered light pitting, while the lockplate  and hammer retains 75% of the factory blue.  The case colors on the breech block have faded to a gray-blue, while the upper barrel band, Buffington rear sight, the lower sling swivel, and triggerguard still show some nice areas of bright gloss blue around the worn spots.  As you can see from the pictures, all of the metal parts have a very uniform and consistent patina that is attractive and speaks to the originality of this weapon.  All of the factory markings on this Springfield are nice and visible including the spread U.S. Eagle motif and lettering on the lockplate, the "U.S. Model 1884" on the breech block, the serial number at the rear of the receiver, and the "V" & "P" proofs on the left side of the barrel. The special Buffington rear sight is in superb condition with perfect, fully-legible markings and range indications.  These "XC" marked Buffington sights were only used on this carbine and nothing else, and can be identified as original by both the "XC" marking at the top of the folding leaf and by the range graduations, which were different from any other Buffington sight as they were sighted specifically for this 24" inch carbine.  The bore in this Springfield is excellent, mirror-bright and clean.  The rifling is still sharp and well-defined, and there is just a touch of frosting in a few spots in the grooves.  Of note is the crown of the muzzle, which has a very distinctive sharp step in it due to the standard crowning tool used on it which was designed for the standard rifle barrel of a slightly different diameter.  The original stock on this 1886 Experimental Carbine is solid and in great shape overall, free from any cracks, repairs, or major damage.  The stock shows scattered minor dings, dents, and handling marks that you would expect to see on an issued military weapon but no eyesores or bad spots.  The worst of the damage is a small chunk of wood missing from the right side of the upper tang, however it is usually hidden by the hammer and breech block lever.  This can be seen in picture # 16.  All of the original stock hardware is all still intact and in good condition, and everything fits together tightly.  The original buttplate is in good shape overall, showing wear consistent with the rest of the carbine.  The trap door still works smoothly and properly, and the trap itself still contains all 3 of the original cleaning rod sections (which are the special 1" inch longer design) and the broken case extractor.  This Model 1886 Experimental Trapdoor Cavalry Carbine is in 100% perfect working order.  The 3-positions of the hammer are still intact and functional, the breech block locks in and out of battery perfectly, the ejector still fires properly, the firing pin floats freely, and the trigger breaks nicely with a light pull.  This is an exceptionally nice all-original example of a very rare Springfield Trapdoor variation, and would be a centerpiece-type of addition to numerous focused or general gun collections.  Whether you are a collector of Springfields, Trapdoors, U.S. Military weapons, American West weaponry, experimental weapons, or general antique weapons, this very rare Springfield Experimental Carbine should be of great interest.                   

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .45-70 Government
Manufacturer: Springfield
Model: Model 1886 Experimental Cavalry Carbine
Serial Number: 840178
Barrel Length: 24" Inches
Condition: Very Good
Metal Condition: Good / Very Good
Wood Condition: Very Good
Bore Condition: Excellent
Action: Trapdoor Single Shot
Stock: American Walnut
Finish: Blued / Case Colored
Sights: Front Blade & "XC"-marked Buffington Rear Sight
Manufacture Date: 1886