Make: Springfield Armory

Model: Officer's Model 1875, Type II

Serial Number: None

Year of Manufacture: 1877-1879

Caliber: .45-70 Government

Action Type: Single Shot Trapdoor Rifle with Single Set-Trigger

Barrel Length: 26"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a two-position folding beech-style sight dovetailed to the front of the barrel presenting either a blade or a thin post inside a hood with a thicker post on top of the hood. The rear sight is a Model 1877 2nd Form tangent ladder-style Rifle sight. A folding tang sight is installed on the top of the wrist.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is a checkered walnut half-stock with nickel-plated pewter nosecap, straight grip, straight comb, steel carbine-style buttplate and checkered wood grip adapter installed behind the trigger guard. There is a P-cartouche in the belly behind the wrist checkering and the top of the wrist behind the tang is marked "17". The stock has scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is discoloration around most metal parts. There are cracks at the rear of the lock. There is flaking in the nosecap's finish. There are a few tiny losses at edges. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly muted with some scattered light oxidation. Overall, the stock is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The barrel has some good finish on the bottom. The receiver and hammer have a little case color showing in well protected areas. There is strong color on the interior of the breech-block. There is erosion on the sides of the receiver at the stock line, likely there is more under the stock. Other areas have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. There is scattered minor surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: Included is a correct nickel-plated brass tip clearing rod.

Our Assessment: The 1875 Officer's Model was a remarkable fusion of military service heritage and fine sporting craftsmanship. Unlike the standard-issue rifles of the day, these were sold privately to U.S. Army officers, essentially hand-selected, deluxe versions of the Trapdoor Springfield with enhanced appointments. After the adoption of trapdoor rifles, Springfield Armory received numerous requests from officers for special rifles with custom features. Eventually, they decided to create standardized Officer's Model rifles to have on hand when such orders came in, with a few different variants.

This example is an early Type II produced between 1877 and 1879. The rifle has proper features and markings for the variant, showing wear consistent with its age. Fewer than 500 of the standard pattern rifles were produced, only 252 of the Type II. This is a neat example from a historically elite class of American long arms, perfect for the advanced Springfield student or connoisseur of decorated martial rifles. Please see our photos and good luck!