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Springfield 1884 - Is it Real?

3_47Inf
When my father passed, he left - among other things - this Springfield 1884 Trapdoor rifle for me. The thing is in pristine condition - I have not seen new rifles look so good - which leads me to question if it is real or a remake. Indian War Era guns are not my thing, but they were my father's. Along with this he left a Henry repeating that is in great condition that I know is real. But is this one?

Real or remake, about what would it be worth (ball park)?

Here are photos of all of the markings on the rifle. The serial numbers match throughout (at least all that I could find on the thing without disassembly).

http://www.imagebam.com/image/cf413e121729399
http://www.imagebam.com/image/9a552a121729411
http://www.imagebam.com/image/7f0ec3121729417
http://www.imagebam.com/image/0fad20121729423
http://www.imagebam.com/image/e6dbcc121729436
http://www.imagebam.com/image/6f31ce121729448
http://www.imagebam.com/image/3ee939121729462
http://www.imagebam.com/image/1e68c8121729473
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Comments

3 comments

Date Votes
  • 3_47Inf
    Here is the URL to the whole gallery. A bit easier to look at the photos than clicking each one.

    http://www.imagebam.com/gallery/1u5zqv6g0t6c5hxs52tsh7d1wzoptm2h
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  • 1KYDSTR
    All the key elements I see are correct to the model and period. The '84's were made long after the unpleasantness at the Greasy grass so there is no association there. The pics are a bit out of focus, but I CAN tell you that there are a lot of rounded edges on the stock; has been redone. Refer to the Inspectors cartouche as well...very indistinct. There is a lot of evidence of buffing on the barrel where the VP eagle P is, and the barrel bands show the same thing with the U. Add to that the level of polish on the blueing, and you have clear evidence of a reblue. The bolt also has no case color (it would be VERY evident on a gun in that supposed pristine ORIGINAL condition) and I'm seeing buffing on the 1884 and eagle too. A nice representative example of an 1884, but in no way a collector. Perhaps $300 to $500...more likely the lower end...YMMV.

    EDIT# 1: Damn, Spider, you sure have some nice toys! I thought the 1884 I sold last year had the best case I had ever seen on one...I now have a new standard by which to judge! Mine had that much gold, but the other colors are much more vibrant. WOW.
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  • Spider7115
    quote:Originally posted by 1KYDSTR
    All the key elements I see are correct to the model and period. The '84's were made long after the unpleasantness at the Greasy grass so there is no association there. The pics are a bit out of focus, but I CAN tell you that there are a lot of rounded edges on the stock; has been redone. Refer to the Inspectors cartouche as well...very indistinct. There is a lot of evidence of buffing on the barrel where the VP eagle P is, and the barrel bands show the same thing with the U. Add to that the level of polish on the blueing, and you have clear evidence of a reblue. The bolt also has no case color (it would be VERY evident on a gun in that supposed pristine ORIGINAL condition) and I'm seeing buffing on the 1884 and eagle too. A nice representative example of an 1884, but in no way a collector. Perhaps $300 to $500...more likely the lower end...YMMV.

    I completely agree. Your rifle has been completely refinished. The breechblock was originally done in brilliant case colors (see picture below), the metal has been buffed and reblued, and Samuel W. Porter's ("SWP") inspector cartouche is almost obliterated. It should make a nice shooter but its collector value is gone.

    VLP87-L-CU20-L.jpg
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