Sold for $5,400

.45-70. 26" round barrel. SN: NSN. Untouched attic metal with no finish remaining, engraved pewter nose cap, checkered walnut stock. Single shot metallic cartridge breechloading special order Officer's Rifle from Springfield Armory, circa 1881. Lock marked U.S./SPRINGFIELD in two lines forward of the hammer and with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} and decorated with flowing foliate Arabesque scrolls. Hammer and breech release lever engraved en-suite. Breech block correctly marked US/MODEL/1873 and with light engraving in the same style as the lock, with the chamber engraved as well. The tang and rear of the receiver also feature simple foliate engraving, with the rear of the breech dated 1881 where the serial number would usually be located. The top of the buttplate tang, the barrel band and the triggerguard are also engraved en-suite with the balance of the rifle, as is the pewter forend cap. A weak script SWP over a not completely legible date of what appears to be 1881 is located on the reverse wrist, opposite the lock. The rifle shows the expected "Officer's Rifle" features, including a single set trigger mechanism, 1879 rear sight on the barrel, mortising for the long range tang sight at the wrist which is now missing, half-stock sporting configuration with a checkered wrist and a single iron ferrule to retain a metal tipped wooden cleaning and clearing rod. The cleaning rod that is present is a modern reproduction. Stock with a dog's head lightly carved on the reverse.

This gun was found in a barn in Georgia a few years ago and remains in that essentially untouched, "barn found" condition. Only 477 "Officer's Model" rifles were ordered from Springfield Arsenal by US Army Officer's circa 1875-1885 with 252 of those being of the 2nd Type like this rifle. These are scarce guns in an condition and often sell at prices well into the five figure range. This one presents an opportunity to own a legitimate example for a reasonable price.