Fall 2013 |
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M84 RRB Rifle | NRA Very Good = $4,000 NRA Excellent = $8,000 |
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The Model 1884 round rod bayonet rifle was Springfield's third attempt at a rod bayonet system on a trapdoor rifle. They had used the triangular rod system on the Model 1880 and some Model 1882 rifles. The Model 1884 RRB rifle utilized a different, but no more reliable mechanism for retaining the rod. Because the small locking "fingers" are not clearly visible, the gun has been nicknamed "flatlatch."
Many of these arms were issued to Michigan troops for trial, and collectors have the best luck finding the guns if they concentrate in that area. The serial number range for MOST of these arms is 314,000 to 321,000. Evidently some were held in storage and later disassembled because some of the receivers are found on Model 1888 TEST rifles cartouched 1888 or 1889.
The most interesting feature of this gun is the front sight cover which houses two different front sight blades. The sights, along with their cover, are removed by extracting a pin that passes through the base of the cover. The barrel was never cut for a sight base.