US Army Indian Wars M-1888 Round Rod Bayonet Trapdoor Springfield Rifle RRB
SOLD FOR: $855
WYOA#: WY240228CH006
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: M-1888 Ram Rod Bayonet “Trapdoor” Rifle
Serial Number: 536350
Year of Manufacture: The serial number dates this rifle to early 1892 along with the cartouche on the stock, Antique
Caliber: .45-70 Govt.
Action Type: Single-Shot Forward Pivoting Breech-Block “Trapdoor” Rifle
Markings: This rifle has “US / MODEL / 1888″ and “536350” on the top of the breechblock. The lock plate carries the traditional “spread wing” American Eagle, along with “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD”. The barrel bands are marked “U”, the left rear barrel is marked “V / P / P / A”, and the buttplate is marked “U.S.”. There is a cartouche on the buttstock marked “1892”.
Barrel Length: 32.5”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade pinned by the muzzle. The rear sight is an adjustable rifle sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition/Grip: The wood stock features a metal nose cap with an integral ram rod bayonet, a total of two barrel bands secured by springs (the front band has two sling swivels fixed to the bottom), a lock-plate, a straight wrist, a sling swivel fixed to the front of the trigger guard, a straight comb, and a metal semi-crescent butt-plate with a cleaning kit trap. The stock has only a few scattered light handling marks, nicks, and scuffs. Notably, there is a “48” carved into the right side of the butt stock that was not factory applied and was done sometime during or after its service life. The LOP is 13.5” from the trigger to the rear end of the butt-plate. The refinished butt-plate has some light handling marks. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition. There is a modern leather buttpad on the rifle.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion concentrated in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 10/10, especially for its age.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. The entire outside of the gun has been worn of its bluing. The entire rifle has a light patina. The internal action is very lightly worn. The screwheads are lightly tooled and remain serviceable. Overall, the rifle is in Excellent condition for an 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: None.
Our Assessment: The 1888 variant of the “Trapdoor” Springfield rifle represents the last iteration of the venerable “Trapdoor” design. It carried over the M-1884 Buffington rear sight, but was fitted with an integral ram rod bayonet that could be locked either out or in the retracted position in the barrel channel. The rod could double as a cleaning rod. The .45-70 “Trapdoor” Springfield is the US Army shoulder arm most closely associated with the Indian Wars. Indeed, it was “there” in the isolated outposts and long forgotten skirmishes that made up the less well-publicized military life, as well as the better known campaigns. This M-1888 was produced after the last “battle” of the Indian Wars, the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890, but could’ve easily seen service with National Guard units called to fight in the Spanish-American War. -R.E.
