Summer 2026 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
August 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, & 9th, 2026
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
VERY RARE HIGH CONDITION SPRINGFIELD ARMORY US MODEL 1875 LEE VERTICAL ACTION RIFLE
| Cal. 45-70 Govt. | In 1874 | 01-29218/ZAL |
James P. Lee approached congress to allocate funds for the development of his vertical breech loader design as a potential replacement for the Springfield trapdoor rifle. The design improved the speed of the shooter. This was done through a speedier reload process by pushing the hammer forward which would drop the breech block and automatically extract the spent cartridge. A total quantity of only 143 of these martial rifles were mfg. by Springfield Armory under supervision of the inventor in 1875 for testing. Ultimately the government did not accept the M1875 as a standard longarm making it a rare experimental prototype that is rarely found today. It is fitted with a 32.5″ blued bbl. with a block front sight and the correct Springfield 1873 rifle rear sight. The only marking visible on the bbl. is a “2”. The bbl. is held with 2 blued steel bbl. bands, the forward of which has sling & stacking swivels. The top tang is marked with “US” behind the hammer and the “PAT MAR 16. 1875.” roll stamp. The stock bears the script font oval ESA inspectors proof from Erskine S. Allin the master armorer and chief inspector for Springfield Armory during the period. The butt plate is smooth steel. ANTIQUE GUN
