Pennsylvania State Police Force Springfield 1873 Trapdoor Saddle Ring Carbine (AL7170)

Serial number 43804. 45-70 caliber with a 22” barrel. The metal has a light gray patina. Wood is very fine with various markings. This is an early gun with the early features. . The left hand side of the stock is marked “S. P. F. D31” This stands for State Police Force and it was D company number 31. There is also a brass plaque inlayed at the bottom of the stock that has “B11” engraved. The “S. P. F.” marking stands for State Police Force. This gun is part of 440 trapdoor carbines that were purchased by the state of Pennsylvania. These were purchased in two different orders, one in 1907 and the other in 1909. The 1909 guns were all 1873 carbines that had the stocks replaced with short wrist, long comb stocks like this one. The Pennsylvania State Police Force participated in numerous labor disputes during this era. Very fine rare gun!