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M1875 Officer's Sporting Model
My impression of an M1875 Officer's Sporting Rifle. This was built from original parts that were restored by nationally renowned gunsmiths and rifle makers.
The image was taken while placed on a section of American Bison hide I purchased from the Claw Antler Hide Company while on vacation in Custer, SD. The .45-70-405 Government cartridges are equivalents of the military specification. They are filled with 65.3 grains of Goex cartridge grade blackpowder and use Meister brand 405 grain, lead round nose (LRN), SPG Lubed cast lead bullets.
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Finished Receiver
This closeup shows the combined effect of Ken Hurst's engraving, the case coloring by Classic Guns, Inc. (Crete, IL) along with the fit and finish work of Billy Tierce (Bill's Gunshop in Utica, MS).
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Right Side View
This view shows the finished stock and the full-length M1873 barrel. Note that I have not yet replaced the original front sight. At some point, I'd like to add either a folding Beech sight or a globe with spirit level as well as a Vernier rear sight from Parts Unknown mounted on a false tang.
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Left Side View
On this view, you can see the highly polished and blued lock screws.
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M1879 Sight and Barrel Band
For a rear sight, I decided to use a 4th issue M1879 ladder sight. The spring is an exact reproduction from Scott Swamer (Swamer's Antique Gunsights in Menasha, WI).
This view also shows the engraved, case-colored barrel band.
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M1888 Butt-Plate
Since this was my impression of an Officer's Sporting Rifle, I decided to use an M1888 butt-plate similar to what was used on the Marksman's Rifles. The stock is inlet beneath the trap so that it can hold my Type II broken shell extractor and M1879 tool.
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Barrel and Receiver Assembly
Shown here with the breech block and breech plug assembled. The barrel and receiver were carded and rust-blued by Ron Snover of IXL Enterprises.
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Breech Block Closed
Right side of receiver. This M1873 barrel and receiver were manufactured by the Springfield Armory in January or February of 1890. Note the engraving on the latch handle, breech block, and breech plug.
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Breech Block Open
Right side of action shown with breech block open.
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Restored Parts
Shown here are the primary parts. Not shown are the small screws and band spring. Again, note the engraving. All screws were polished and blued. The butt-plate is from an M1888 rifle and is engraved on the top.
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11
Bottom of Rough Stock
The stock is made from an oversized, lightly figured Black Walnut slab from Gary Goby of Goby Walnut Products (Albany, OR).
The rough stock was carved by George Peterson of Treebone Carving (Cimarron, NM) by using a cut-down Trapdoor stock. George custom inlet the butt to accommodate the trap mechanism of the M1888 plate.
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Right Side of Rough Stock
Note the inletting for the lock mechanism. Also, note the Ebony tip to extend the stock under the full-length rifle barrel.
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Rough Stock Standing
This view of the stock exposes the inletting for both the lock and trigger plate.
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Top of Rough Stock
This view exposes the inletting for the barrel and action.
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M1873 Rifle
For comparison, here is my original M1873 rifle. This rifle was manufactured by the Springfield Armory in June of 1879. It's shown here with a reproduction M1881 sling (in firing position) from Pat Wolf of Wolf's Western Traders in Graybull, WY (www.the45-70book.com). Pat co-authored "Loading Cartridges for the Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine" with her late husband, Spence. I gave the rifle a "field upgrade" by adding an M1884 Buffington rear sight & barrel band. I also added a final issue bronze firing pin and an M1888 snap-on front sight hood.
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