This is an exceptional example of an original, U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1875 Type III, "Officer's Model" trapdoor Rifle. This series of rifle was manufactured circa 1877 to 1885 and were considered as a true badge of rank and distinction held only by U.S. Cavalry Officer's. These were a private purchase weapon, procured directly from Springfield Armory on a special order basis only. There were three different types of "Officer's Model" rifles with a total of 477 Officer's Models made for all three types; with only 125 Type III Models made. The receiver, breechblock, lock plate, hammer, barrel tang, and barrel band were all highly embellished with a decorative fine scroll engraving and it was fitted with a hand selected American walnut stock. They all have a blued barrel/receiver with color casehardened breech block, lock and hammer assembly, trigger guard/trigger plate and buttplate. The top of the breechblock is marked "U.S./MODEL/1873" in three lines, and the lock plate is marked with the late pattern "Springfield Eagle/Shield" motif ahead of the hammer followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" surrounded by scroll engraving. They were fitted with a 26 inch round barrel that is stamped on the left side with: "V/P/Eagle Head/P" proof from Springfield Armory. The barrel is fitted with a gold washed folding Beach front sight that is a combination folding blade and globe front sight with a buckhorn Model 1877 rifle rear sight. The side of the rear sight base is graduated from 1-5 (100-500 yards), and the face of the rear sight is graduated from 6-12 (600-1200 yards). The underside of barrel has a single iron ramrod thimble and is correctly fitted with a hickory wiping rod with nickel plated/knurled front ferrule and slotted rear ferrule. The top of the wrist of the stock has a late Type III folding Vernier tang sight with the oval base. It is fitted with the two piece trigger plate and trigger guard bow that also has fine engraving and is fitted with a single set-trigger. These rare rifles were fitted with a select grade American walnut half-stock with an oil-finish which were hand checkered on the forend and pistol grip area. They were fitted with a beautiful engraved German silver forend tip, with this example having the correct Type III, slightly longer 1/2 to 5/8th inch forend tip with the engraved longer finale. It is fitted with a solid steel buttplate stamped with a "U.S." on top of the heel. Since this is a late Type III rifle it has a correct boxed "S.W.P./1885" cartouche on the left side with a circled script, "P" proofmark behind the checkered panel on the underside of the stock.