Officer's Model Trapdoor

[tark]

Hi guys! Inventory day again at the Museum. We were a little short handed today so only got a few pics. This Officer's Model Trapdoor, third pattern, caught my eye. ( I really MUST remember to stop wearing dark shirts. Hard to see the gun. )

This one is in really pristine condition. Most of these guns were well cared for and this one would grade out at around 98%. The checkering is crisp and clean, with only a few flattened diamonds. The bore is bright and shiny.

Finally, I couldn't resist a pic looking down the west weapons wall.

 

[boom boom]

Hi guys! Inventory day again at the Museum. We were a little short handed today so only got a few pics. This Officer's Model Trapdoor, third pattern, caught my eye. ( I really MUST remember to stop wearing dark shirts. Hard to see the gun. )

This one is in really pristine condition. Most of these guns were well cared for and this one would grade out at around 98%. The checkering is crisp and clean, with only a few flattened diamonds. The bore is bright and shiny.

Finally, I couldn't resist a pic looking down the west weapons wall.

Pardon my ignorance but were Trapdoors officer rifles usually checkered? That is a beautiful rifle and thanks for sharing.

 

[DocRock]

That's been "sporterized" at some point with the addition of checkering, the somewhat incongruous add on POW grip, and the Vernier tang sight. Gorgeous looking rifle.

 

[Iggy]

That is beautiful. What museum are you in? That must be a fascinating place to work.

The original Officer's models were beautiful rifles..
http://www.nramuseum.org/the-museum...ringfield-officer's-model-trapdoor-rifle.aspx

 

[tark]

Pardon my ignorance but were Trapdoors officer rifles usually checkered? That is a beautiful rifle and thanks for sharing.

That's been "sporterized" at some point with the addition of checkering, the somewhat incongruous add on POW grip, and the Vernier tang sight. Gorgeous looking rifle.

There were three types- or patterns- of Officer's Model trapdoors. This one is the third pattern. All of them were checkered. That rifle is exactly as issued. The tang sight is original as is the "POW" grip. The latter is removable and held in place by a single screw, for those who prefer a straight grip.

That gun is complete and unaltered. Googling "Officer's Model Trapdoor Springfield." will give one far more info than I can type here.

 

[tark]

That is beautiful. What museum are you in? That must be a fascinating place to work.

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum, Rock Island Illinois. We have 1225 firearms on display, to include R.I.A. manufacture 1903 Springfield serial # 1 , M-1 rifle serial # 2, and everything in between from Pederson devices to three FG-42s

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Awesome Post, OP.

I need me a trapdoor!

 

[Pat Riot]

Very cool, Tark. Thank you.

 

[czhen]

Tark beautiful rifle. Also dream job isn't it.
Please keep posting pics when you can.

 

[tark]

Yes, it is a dream job!!! I get to hold and examine some of the most Iconic firearms in our nations history. But there are some guns I have yet to hold in my formally nicotine stained fingers.....

1903 Springfield, Rock Island Arsenal manufactured, serial # 1..... and four rifles used in the battle of the Little Bighorn.... never leave the case.

The first pic is obviously self explanatory, and the rifle is in its original rod bayonet configuration, the second, four Indian weapons used in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Forensically identified as actual Indian weapons used in the battle.

 

[HPJeep]

My father is an early US military gun collector and he's got one too. Although his is about an 80% gun. They're pretty neat.

 

[tark]

My father is an early US military gun collector and he's got one too. Although his is about an 80% gun. They're pretty neat.

Just hugged my hi-power!!! T-series made in 68. Never fired. Don't have a jeep

 

[Sneakshot92]

Awesome Post, OP.

I need me a trapdoor!

I've got an 1886 with a the round bayonet/cleaning rod and the tools are in the compartment in the butt. I've only shot it a few times but that will change when I get a set of 45-70 dies.
Mine was last serviced by the arsenal in 1892.

 

[forward observer]

There is a possible explanation of why your type III officer's model might have survived in such pristine condition. According to my collector's book--The .45-70 Springfield by Joe Poyer and Craig Riesch, there were only 477 in total of all three types produced. Of these, there were only 100 of the last type (III) produced in 1885. Of that 100, only 15 were purchased by army personnel. The rest remained in inventory as late as 1905 when they were reportedly finally sold off as surplus.

I'm wondering if your example came out of those that remained in inventory until they were sold off as surplus. It's pure speculation on my part, but It's also possible that one or more were retained to be kept as a permanent example for any future planned collections of the various arsenals.
I wonder if there is also one at the Springfield arsenal museum or if you ended up with the only one?

Cheers

 

[Iggy]

Poor man's Officer's Model..

1879 Model. Sat in the saddle room of my Grand Dad's barn for 47 years, another 20 in my Dad's closet
It was in bad shape.. I found an unfired rifle barrel and sporter stock and went to work.
Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope and all kinds of pests have fallen to this old timer.

 

[tark]

There is a possible explanation of why your type III officer's model might have survived in such pristine condition. According to my collector's book--The .45-70 Springfield by Joe Poyer and Craig Riesch, there were only 477 in total of all three types produced. Of these, there were only 100 of the last type (III) produced in 1885. Of that 100, only 15 were purchased by army personnel. The rest remained in inventory as late as 1905 when they were reportedly finally sold off as surplus.

I'm wondering if your example came out of those that remained in inventory until they were sold off as surplus. It's pure speculation on my part, but It's also possible that one or more were retained to be kept as a permanent example for any future planned collections of the various arsenals.
I wonder if there is also one at the Springfield arsenal museum or if you ended up with the only one?

Cheers

Good info, Forward observer. The officers models were made from 1875-85. I don't know how we acquired ours, but the museum first opened in 1905 and it may have been donated by Springfield Armory. Your "pure speculation may well be fact. Ours looks to be unfired, with only a few tiny dings in the wood. The blueing is flawless as are the case hardening colors.

I know there is at least one at the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. The Springfield Armory National Historic Site did not become a museum until the Armory itself was shut down in the late sixties and I don't think they have one. The NRA Museum has one.

BTW I did test the trigger without actually letting the hammer fall. I wish I could say that it broke like glass at a crisp three pounds.... but It felt like a standard trapdoor.

 

[forward observer]

BTW I did test the trigger without actually letting the hammer fall. I wish I could say that it broke like glass at a crisp three pounds.... but It felt like a standard trapdoor.

Here's some info that you may find interesting. Check it out if you get the chance.

According to my reference book, all of the Officer's models came with single set triggers. This would be obvious on the early models since the trigger assembly included a small set screw just behind the trigger. The purpose of the screw was to be able to adjust the pull for the lighter set trigger pull. However, for the type III models, the set screw was eliminated, so there is no obvious giveaway that there is a set trigger system included.

These work like most single set triggers. One first cocks the hammer and then pushes the trigger forward until it clicks which sets an internal "fly". This, in turn, should convert the trigger to a very light pull of less than a pound.

Cheers

 

[tark]

Thank you Forward Observer! I just learned something. I'm going to try that in three months, when we inventory again......yes........ we inventory every three months...... Army regulations....

I'm in Heaven......