Model 1870 Springfield Sporting Rifle .50-70 cal. 29.5" round barrel. Top of breechblock marked Model 1870. Eagle with crossed arrows and U.S. Lockplate marked U.S. Springfield with eagle and dated 1863 in rear. Rifle rear sight silver blade front sight. Single-set trigger system with cadet trigger bow. Walnut stock with nickel-plated brass fore end tip which has screws on the inside of stock holding it to the stock?and cadet buttplate.? Bottom of barrel is marked with a "2" at the breech. No other markings on the bottom of barrel or breech.?Lockplate has sub-inspector's initials on various parts.?Set trigger has an M on the trigger plate and on?the trigger parts.Officers could send in an order?requesting ?a special sporting rifle and if approved it would be made up at Springfield arsenal and?delivered ?to an arsenal or ordinance detachment close to where the officer was posted.?They would use a standard rifle which cost $18.75 and build from there by adding checkering special wood ?special sights different barrel lengths set triggers metal fore end tips cleaning rods and engraving.In 1875?Springfield decided to cut the special orders?and make a standard?officer's rifle?and charge $36.00 for them.??Specially made rifles were made famous by the officers serving west of the Mississippi?- and expeditions like the Hayden Expedition.?There are several great photographs of western officers and plainsmen holding one of these great Springfield sporting rifles.?General? George Custer was photographed with a Model 1866?sporting rifle and in Al Frasca's Book II ?The?.45-70 Springfield (1997) on pages 130 and 131?illustrate topographer and? photographer Henry Jackson holding sporting rifles made by Springfield.?To a?Springfield collector these rifles are a great treasure to own ?and seldom do they?come up for sale. Bob Snitselaar Condition: Barrel has turned a nice plum with some traces of blue finish and some brown staining spots. This blends very nicely onto the receiver and breechblock giving it a great "been together forever" look.? Trigger bow and buttplate evenly match.? Wood has a great worn and withered look with nice untouched patina that matches the rifle.?One small piece of wood missing by the left side of the tang.? ?Bore is good but does have a slight bulge about three inches from the muzzle?that is only noticeable when you?look inside the bore.
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