Springfield Cadet

[Tkacook]

I picked up this rifle at a gun show for $200. It had a butchered stock, bad bronze firing pin and no screw, only one badly mangled screw holding the Buffington sight on and it was missing the sight tension screw.

I focused so had on the issues that I neglected to realize it was a cadet model. I replaced the missing parts and repaired the stock as best as I can at the moment. The bore after cleaning is one of the nicest I have.

The serial is 46634X. Can we confirm that this should be a Springfield 1884 model cadet rifle?

[Dick Hosmer]

Should be a full length rifle, from all close numbers - unfortunately, you do not have the front of the stock to see if it was one of the 1800 rifles cut-down by SA in 1895. But, on the bright side, you're in it really cheap!

[bruce]

Looks to be vastly and throughly improved! Would love to run up on such a piece. You are very fortunate. Sincerely. bruce.

[Tkacook]

Dick,
I'll take some pictures of the front sight and barrel. It's looks like a factory barrel. I figured with the long comb on the stock it was likely a cadet rifle. Maybe not. The barrel measures 29 1/2" from the chamber to the tip. Still has a pristine bore.

Bruce,
Thanks. I couldn't turn it down for the price.

[Tkacook]

Some additional pictures. Standard Trapdoor bayonet fits perfectly. Crown looks correct, and sight looks factory. Curious that the bayonet would fit it the barrel had been cut down.

[Dick Hosmer]

Barrels must have been replaced or re-tapered. My 368714 (which has a shortened stock because you can see the rod-keeper fill) also accepts a bayonet. The reason I picked it up, MANY years ago, before Al's books in fact, was the JSA/1895 cartouche - I just KNEW there must be a story there, and there was. By extreme good fortune I later found an SA crate which specifically noted that it was for such altered arms. I guess I "need" 19 more!

[Tkacook]

Would love to see pictures of the crate and rifle. I still think I will look for a "correct" looking stock for this one.

Thanks

[Dick Hosmer]

www.picturetrail.com/sa4570af See albums 3 & 8. Notation at 368714 as to album 7 for the crate is wrong - needs to be fixed when I get a chance.

[Tkacook]

Thanks for posting the link. I always enjoy your collection. Are the cadet rifles covered in one of your books?

Andy

[Dick Hosmer]

No - or at least not yet. I've been toying with the idea of a third book, covering the "regular" .45 arms, to make a matched set, but I'm not sure there would be any desire. That dog has been run through the hoops quite a bit - I'd have little new to say.

[Tkacook]

I would love to see it. You can never have too much reference material. I hope you decide to do it. Be sure and include a cadet section! I already have your other two books.