HISTORIC CUSTER BATTLEFIELD 1873 TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD CARBINE.

SN NSN. This historic relic carbine was found in the Little Bighorn River approximately 10 miles north of the Custer Battlefield in August 1954. The area where the carbine was found is along the retreat trail used by the Sioux traveling north, eventually going to Canada. It can be speculated that the Indians laden with all their worldly possessions, in hasty retreat in having all the firearms they picked up on the battlefield had probably insufficiently secured it to a pack animal when crossing the river and it simply fell unnoticed into the river where it lay for over 75 years until found by Mr. Fred Kilfoy. There is a signed affidavit from Mr. Kilfoy telling of the circumstances of how he found it. If this gun could just talk and tell us its story; we know of no other Custer trapdoor carbines excavated from the battlefield. PROVENANCE: Fred F. Kilfoy 1954, Kilfoy Auction, Riverton, WY October 7, 1990, James D. Julia Auction October 2000 Lot 568DD. CONDITION: Carbine is relatively intact though missing rear sight and bottom buttplate screw. Gun has the appearance of other water excavated artifacts found elsewhere with heavily shrunken stock and iron is highly oxidized obliterating all markings such as SNs. Overall this relic is sound, though still fragile. 4-55017 JS48 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 1434

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Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	1434	$13,800.00	HISTORIC CUSTER BATTLEFIELD 1873 TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD CARBINE. SN NSN. This historic relic carbine was found in the Little Bighorn River approximately 10 miles north of the Custer Battlefield in August 1954. The area where the carbine was found is along the retreat trail used by the Sioux traveling north, eventually going to Canada. It can be speculated that the Indians laden with all their worldly possessions, in hasty retreat in having all the firearms they picked up on the battlefield had probably insufficiently secured it to a pack animal when crossing the river and it simply fell unnoticed into the river where it lay for over 75 years until found by Mr. Fred Kilfoy. There is a signed affidavit from Mr. Kilfoy telling of the circumstances of how he found it. If this gun could just talk and tell us its story; we know of no other Custer trapdoor carbines excavated from the battlefield. PROVENANCE: Fred F. Kilfoy 1954, Kilfoy Auction, Riverton, WY October 7, 1990, James D. Julia Auction October 2000 Lot 568DD. CONDITION: Carbine is relatively intact though missing rear sight and bottom buttplate screw. Gun has the appearance of other water excavated artifacts found elsewhere with heavily shrunken stock and iron is highly oxidized obliterating all markings such as SNs. Overall this relic is sound, though still fragile. 4-55017 JS48 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 1434 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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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HISTORIC CUSTER BATTLEFIELD 1873 TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD CARBINE.