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Antique Heavy-Barrel Sporting Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD
Antique Heavy-Barrel Sporting Rifle
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Antique Heavy-Barrel Sporting Rifle, commercially altered from an early Model 1873 U.S. Springfield ''Trapdoor'' Infantry Rifle, #41535, .40-65 CF cal., blued 30'' heavy octagonal barrel, dovetailed large German-silver blade front and folding sliding-leaf buckhorn style rear sights, marked ''40-65'' on top flat at breech; case hardened receiver, matching trapdoor marked ''Model/1873/(eagle head)'' at hinge; case hardened flat lockplate is marked with a spread-wing eagle clutching olive branches and ''U.S./Springfield/1873,'' has matching hammer; varnished walnut halfstock has a long ebony (or buffalo horn) wedge inlay at Schnabel tip, checkered panels at forend and top/bottom of wrist, case hardened two-piece trigger guard and buttplate having a sliding door opening to trap in butt for jointed steel cleaning rod (not present). Altered ca. 1870s-90s. Condition is near excellent retaining approx. 96% smooth barrel blue and brightly mottled case colors done at time of alteration. Nomenclature to sideplate is barely visible. Stock is sound and smooth with sharp checkering, minor handling marks, most original finish, and lovely grain and color. Forend shows a professionally done approx. 2'' spliced-in repair, 1'' crack at opposite side, and a half-inch crack at checkering. Action is tight and crisp; bore is bright showing light frosting and sharp rifling. Est.: $2,000-$3,000. (Antique)