The Springfield Model 1884 was one of the "Trapdoor Springfield" rifles. The Model 1884 traces its roots back to the design of the Springfield Model 1873. Most of the changes that identify the Model 1884 as a distinctmodel occurred either before or after 1884. The Model 1884 incorporated a significant number of improvements that had been made between 1878 and 1879. It also featured a serrated trigger that had been incorporatedinto the Springfield rifle design in 1883. The most dramatic change to the rifle design, which is often considered to be the identifying feature of the model 1884, was a new rear sight which had been designed byLieutenant Colonel R. A. Buffington of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. This sight however was not perfected until 1885. This piece was issued to the Cavalry and is the carbine model with a round barrel. The pieceis marked across the top of the breech “U.S. Model 1884”, The side of the carbine is marked “U.S. Springfield.” The piece shows the original blue coloring across the breech and barrel