SCARCE CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 TRAPDOOR CARBINE.

SCARCE CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 TRAPDOOR CARBINE. SN 39006. Cal. 45-70. Standard and all orig 1873 saddle ring carbine with 22″ bbl, rectangular base front sight and 1300 yard ladder rear sight with right side of the base graduated to 500 yards. Breech block is high arch type with standard 1873 markings and lockplate has standard markings of an eagle and “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873″. Mounted in a 1-pc walnut half stock with sgl band that has stacking swivel and is secured with a sgl spring keeper on the right side. Trigger guard is of two pieces without sling swivel. Left side of wrist has a legible oval,”ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche and is mounted with sling bar and ring. Stock is orig 1873 with carbine buttplate without trap or a recess under the buttplate. This serial range of carbines was in service with the 7th Cavalry from 1874 through their famous fight at the Little Big Horn. The 1873 Trapdoor carbine was, according to history, the only shoulder arm used by the 7th Cavalry in this famous fight where several hundred of them were lost to the Indians. Others that were with the 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn were obviously used in the fight but continued in service with the cavalry afterward in various other confrontations with the Indians well into the 1880s when they were recalled and replaced with later models. Virtually all of the 1873 carbines were issued to cavalry units who were continuously engaged in fighting Indians throughout the American West. Accompanied by two letters on Donald E. Bryan letterhead, one dated June 23, 1985 addressed to “Randy” over the signature of “Don” offering this carbine for sale. The other later is undated, also signed by “Don” addressed to Randy apologizing for the delay in delivering the carbine. A noted item of interest is the fact that Springfield Model 1873 carbine SN 39253 (only 247 numbers from the carbine being sold here) was captured from Indians after the Custer fight. Custer range carbines are a great find today especially in authentic orig configuration. PROVENANCE: Don Bryan; Walter Budd Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains a mottled silver/brown patina with some scattered surface spotting and a series of dings by the rear sight. Breech block retains smoky case colors, mostly faded to gray. Lockplate retains mottled silver/black case colors and the hammer a silver/brown patina. Stock has usual light nicks & dings with a few heavier gouges and is missing some minor slivers of wood near the forestock tip. Mechanics are crisp, worn dark bore with a ring about 4″ from the muzzle. 4-42066 JR266 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2462	$0.00	SCARCE CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 TRAPDOOR CARBINE. SN 39006. Cal. 45-70. Standard and all orig 1873 saddle ring carbine with 22″ bbl, rectangular base front sight and 1300 yard ladder rear sight with right side of the base graduated to 500 yards. Breech block is high arch type with standard 1873 markings and lockplate has standard markings of an eagle and “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873″. Mounted in a 1-pc walnut half stock with sgl band that has stacking swivel and is secured with a sgl spring keeper on the right side. Trigger guard is of two pieces without sling swivel. Left side of wrist has a legible oval,”ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche and is mounted with sling bar and ring. Stock is orig 1873 with carbine buttplate without trap or a recess under the buttplate. This serial range of carbines was in service with the 7th Cavalry from 1874 through their famous fight at the Little Big Horn. The 1873 Trapdoor carbine was, according to history, the only shoulder arm used by the 7th Cavalry in this famous fight where several hundred of them were lost to the Indians. Others that were with the 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn were obviously used in the fight but continued in service with the cavalry afterward in various other confrontations with the Indians well into the 1880s when they were recalled and replaced with later models. Virtually all of the 1873 carbines were issued to cavalry units who were continuously engaged in fighting Indians throughout the American West. Accompanied by two letters on Donald E. Bryan letterhead, one dated June 23, 1985 addressed to “Randy” over the signature of “Don” offering this carbine for sale. The other later is undated, also signed by “Don” addressed to Randy apologizing for the delay in delivering the carbine. A noted item of interest is the fact that Springfield Model 1873 carbine SN 39253 (only 247 numbers from the carbine being sold here) was captured from Indians after the Custer fight. Custer range carbines are a great find today especially in authentic orig configuration. PROVENANCE: Don Bryan; Walter Budd Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains a mottled silver/brown patina with some scattered surface spotting and a series of dings by the rear sight. Breech block retains smoky case colors, mostly faded to gray. Lockplate retains mottled silver/black case colors and the hammer a silver/brown patina. Stock has usual light nicks & dings with a few heavier gouges and is missing some minor slivers of wood near the forestock tip. Mechanics are crisp, worn dark bore with a ring about 4″ from the muzzle. 4-42066 JR266 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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