Springfield Model 1888 Rod Bayonet Rifle…..(f 694) SOLD

A Fine U.S. Trapdoor Springfield Rifle with Rod Bayonet

The third and last of the main three “Trapdoor” models to come into the service with the U.S. Military.  This is the Model 1888 Ram-Rod Bayonet model produced in and around the years 1891/92 .  It has the serial number “546280” at the rear of the breech.  It has the swing over type breech adopted by the military as the main arm and which was developed from the Allin Conversion of the original three band front stuffers of the American Civil War.  The conversions were chambered in .50-70 but when the arm was further developed and built from scratch the calibre used was the .45-70 government choice.

Single shot, .45-70 breech loading rifle.  Measuring 52″ in over all length.  When the rod bayonet is fully extended it adds a extra reach of another 15″.  The rod bayonet, although a fine idea in principle, was not greatly received after it was tried and tested in combat because, troopers complained that it had a tendency to break of in the opponents body as he collapsed to the ground.  It was however designed for dual use as a bayonet and a cleaning or clearing rod.  The latter use proved perfectly workable.  There is a pivoted catch at the muzzle end which ill release and lock the rod in its different positions.  The idea was briefly revisited later on with the adoption of the rod bayonet M1903 rifle, but once again it proved problematic and was soon dropped.

This form of the Trapdoor Springfield was the last major manifestation of an old faithful which had served the military so well. It was last used by Volunteer and National Guard units in the Spanish American conflict, and in some instances, by Railway or support troops in the European Theatre of World War One.  This example has the later M1884 Buffington rear sights – there are a total of Five aiming points on these sights!  If looking directly at the ladder arrangement one can easily see the cant to the left in its construction this was developed to counteract bullet drift  as the range increased.  Windage is also accounted for by the rotation of the knurled, larger wheel on the RHS of the sight bed.  Degrees of windage adjustment are shown on a dial at the rear of the sight bed.  The sight will either function in the lain-down position as an open battle sight, or with the ladder raised to 90 degrees.  It is graduated in yards from 200 to 1400 on the right side then, when extended from 1500 to 2000 yards. At the top RHS side of the graduations is a solitary “R” denoting the correct sight for a rifle.  These were sophisticated sights and would live on into the Krag generation and M1903 years.

The single piece stock is made in American Black Walnut and is fitted with the following furniture;, Butt-plate with sprung swivelling trap for cleaning equipment – the tang being marked clearly with “U.S.”  The trigger guard has a sling swivel attached at the front of the bow.  Serrated trigger within.  There are two main barrel bands both marked with the side-ways lain open “U” of Springfield.  The front band has the forward sling swivel and the stacking hook attached.

The lock plate is the correct flat/flush type with a superbly clear American Eagle with shield, clutching broken arrows.  Adjacent to which is the “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD” marking.  The hammer has a knurled thumb piece to aid grip in slippery conditions.  All these components have a fine plumb brown mottled finish that has built up over the passage of time.  The tip-up breech block when open shows the long flat arch on the underside – perfect lock-down, no looseness.  On the top side of the breech block, just behind the hinge it is clearly marked as follows;-“U.S. / MODEL / 1884”.  Forward on the breech, on the barrels upper LHS are the firing proof makes arranged as follows;- “V / P / eagles head device / P” and at the crest is a solitary “A”.

On the LHS of the wrist is the Master Armourers Cartouche but it has all but been obliterated by some unfortunate event.  It is boxed and should read “SWP /1891 or 92”  Only the tops of the initials are discernable.  A clear circled script “P” is visible behind the trigger guard on the underside of the stock.

Strong three-grove rifling with minimal misting and shallow light pitting , but this rifle will shoot well.  Its a survivor from times gone by which is freshly proofed here in the UK and will give somebody a lot of shooting pleasure if they take the time to acquaint themselves politely with the old girl.

You’ll be needin’  Stock No’ f 694

£ 1125.  Sold

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