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 beaded post inside a hood, the right of the hood has broken from the base at the bottom. 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. It appears to have broken off and been reinstalled with adhesive residue built up around the base. The tang sight is not original to the rifle.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is a checkered walnut half-stock with nickel-plated pewter nosecap, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. There is a P-cartouche in the belly behind the wrist checkering. As noted above, there is adhesive residue built up around the replaced tang sight. The stock has scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. 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 to the parts. The ramrod ferrule has been replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 7% of its metal finish. Finish remains mostly in protected areas or around raised features. Most surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform light patina. There are some nicks and light scratches. There is some minor surface oxidation with a little erosion at the muzzle. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to 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 tang sight and ramrod ferrule have been replaced, but it otherwise has proper features and markings. 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!