Original U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Model 1884 Cadet Rifle with Standard Ram Rod made in 1888 - Serial 421331

Original Item: Only One available. This is a lovely honest used example of the rare Springfield Model 1884 trapdoor Cadet trapdoor rifle, the weapon used, in its carbine form, by the troopers of the 7th Cavalry that met their fate at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876.

The breech block is marked:

U.S.
MODEL
1884

In 1884 the integral Round Rod Bayonet was designed, which could double as a cleaning rod, a development that met with very limited success. However, it was not fitted to all rifles, and not usually seen until at least 1886. It was finally replaced in 1892 with the .30-40 caliber Krag bolt action magazine rifle. Model 1884 rifles saw service in the Spanish American War. The regular army was issued the new Krag rifles and the guard units received the trapdoor. There are a number of stereopticon pictures that show guard units armed with of 1884 rifles.

Offered in very good condition is this trapdoor cadet rifle in .45-70 government caliber, Serial #421331, which indicates production in approximately October 1888, per U.S. Government records. The stock looks to have been refinished at some point, so unfortunately the original cartouches are completely worn away. It features a standard ramrod, and was not later made in the the "1888" pattern, even though it was produced around the time it was introduced. The rifle has the model 1884 serrated trigger and "improved" Buffington sight fitted, along with the correct lower barrel band. However, the stock is in the 1873 configuration, with the standard ramrod and two part trigger guard.

The 1884 Cadet Model Trapdoor Rifle is mostly identical to the Standard 1884 Infantry Rifle, from the butt plate up to the rear or lower barrel band. The obvious difference is the overall length of the barrel, and thus the rifle. The standard Infantry barrel length was about 31 1/2" whereas the barrel on a Cadet Rifle was just about 2 1/2 inches shorter coming in at about 29". These rifles also featured the "long wrist" of the early Model 1873 Trapdoor throughout their production run.

Not a great deal but this did reduce the weight and presumably allowed raw Cadets to get used to the substantial .45-70 Caliber. Between 1874 the first year of the Standard Model 1873 Models were constructed and 1886 when the Model of 1884 took over the ratio of Infantry Rifles manufactured was 20-1 TWENTY TO ONE. In fact in the 12 years 203,182 long Rifles to 9,188 Cadet Rifles.

Later Model 1884 Rifles and Cadet Rifles were still being made or converted from long to short until about 1900. The fact remains that the MODEL 1873 and 1884 Cadet Rifle is twenty times harder to find than the standard 1873 Infantry Rifle. This information all comes from a wonderful Book :- THE .45-70 SPRINGFIELD written by Albert Frasca and Robert Hill in 1980. 381 pages of invaluable information, published by Springfield Publishing of Northridge, California.

This trapdoor cadet rifle has overall good metal finish and all metal proofs still present, showing a worn patina on the metalwork from years of service and cleaning. There is a bit of light peppering in areas, but no major rust, just wear from long service. The stock is lovely, showing the lovely red-brown color of aged and oiled walnut. It does look to have been arsenal reconditioned at some point, as the stock is even with or below the level of the lock plate. This removed some wood, especially around the wrist, which is why the inspection cartouches are gone. There are no repairs or past major structural damage we can see any evidence of, though it was varnished at some point.

The bore is in very good near excellent condition, showing crisp lands and grooves with a bright finish. There is just a bit of wear and evidence of past fouling, showing that the rifle was well cared for. We would probably rate the bore a 8-9 out of 10. The breech block has an intact freely moving firing pin and moves correctly, with the extractor still present and functional, though we have not tested it with real brass. The ejector in the bottom of the breech is present as well. The rear sight works well, with an easily adjustable range and windage, something we do not often see, though the bottom of the sliding leaf has broken off. The original cleaning rod shows some wear, but is still complete with the cleaning jag on the end, and is the correct shorter version for the Cadet rifle, not cut down from a longer one.

The both barrel bands are U marked, and the butt plate tang is marked with the correct U.S. stamp, with an additional 123 rack number. Metal finish is a nice aged patina, with a bit of light peppering in places, and an overall lovely patina of age. Center fire breechloader, .45 cal., two bands, two sling swivels with stacking swivel, Buffington sight, with standard ramrod. Lock is marked with a Federal Eagle to the left of U.S. / SPRINGFIELD, indicating that it was manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Additional marks of interest include inspectors' and proof marks around the breech end of the barrel: a capital A on top; and a V over a P over an eagle's head over another P on the left side just above the stock. The upper right corner of the Buffington sight leaf is marked R to indicate that the sight graduations are for a rifle and not a carbine.

This is an excellent opportunity to pick up a very nice example of the cadet variant of a classic U.S. issue firearm. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 48 3/4 Inches
Action type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.