Lot 114

Historic U.S.S. Maine Recovered Springfield 1884 Trapdoor Rifle

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Historic U.S.S. Maine Recovered Springfield 1884 Trapdoor Rifle

Estimate: $9,500 - $16,000

Starting Bid: $8,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Incredibly Rare and Historic Documented U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle Recovered from the Sunken Battleship USS Maine Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer this incredibly rare, historic, national treasure 1886 production U.S. Springfield Model 1884 trapdoor rifle that was one of only six trapdoor rifles documented as recovered directly from the battleship USS Maine after it was sunk in Havana Harbor on February 15th, 1898. The sinking of the Maine was the catalyst for the outbreak of the Spanish-American War and one of the most significant events in American history. Over 260 service members' lives were claimed in the explosion from what was said to be a Spanish mine or torpedo, although the true cause of the disaster remains disputed and may have instead been caused by an accidental spontaneous fire within a coal bunker of the ship, igniting the ship's magazines. Newspaper headlines went wild, and "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!" became a popular rallying war cry of Americans after this event. Among the arms recovered from the Maine were also a limited number of Colt revolvers, including the Model 1892 Navy revolver symbolically carried by Theodore Roosevelt in action while leading the Rough Riders at the Battle of San Juan Hill. The six USS Maine recovered Springfield rifles are far rarer than the fifty-six U.S. Navy Winchester-Lee rifles that were also recovered. Francis Bannerman, a well-known military surplus dealer, purchased the six recovered Trapdoor rifles and fifty-four of the Winchester-Lee rifles and sold them to the public. This rifle, serial number 322599, is listed in the included framed period copy of a document from the U.S. Navy that lists the serial numbers of the complete rifles salvaged from the Maine that were sold to Francis Bannerman by the U.S. Navy, indicating they were received by Bannerman in late January of 1900. This same document can also be seen in period Bannerman mail order catalogs. It has a blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug, Buffington ladder rear sight, with "V/P/(eagle head)" proofs on the left breech of the barrel, "US/MODEL/1873" marked low arch breech block, federal eagle and shield next to "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" marked on the lock, an outline of a bordered script inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist, remnants of a circled script "P" proof stamp behind the lower tang, two-piece trigger guard and trigger bar assembly, serrated trigger, and smooth buttplate marked "US" on the heel. The rifle has a period black painted finish applied to its iron surfaces for preservation purposes after its recovery from the Maine.

Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S.

Model: 1884

BBL: 32 5/8 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 45-70 Government

Finish: black

Serial Number322599

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Good, exhibiting the proper appearance of a historic USS Maine recovered rifle, retains 90% period black painted protective finish, with some flaking, pitting characteristic of exposure to salt water, and legible markings in the metal. The stock is also good with a protective varnish coating, absent forend cap, wear, and some scars. Absent hammer screw and extractor spring; otherwise, mechanically functions. This is one of only six documented trapdoor rifles recovered from the sunken battleship USS Maine; an opportunity to be able to acquire an immensely historic American treasure such as this one may never present itself again!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000