INDIAN USED RARE CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE.

Revised: 10/19/2007

(Additional Information) Consignor notes that SN33155 is an associated Custer Battlefield Carbine and appears in a list of guns known to have been returned to the armory, used, or picked up on the battlefield.

INDIAN USED RARE CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE. SN 33021. Cal. 45-70. Authentic standard & 1873 carbine with 22″ bbl, with square base front sight base missing blade and also missing rear sight which was apparently broken away early during period of use as the remains of screws are still in their holes and are heavily worn & polished. Breech block has the “1873” date with eagle head, crossed arrows and “US” and with an “1873” dated lockplate. Receiver is cracked in two places on left side with a hand forged band holding it together with an appropriate groove cut in wood underneath. Mounted in an orig 1873 carbine stock with carbine buttplate without trap and buttstock is not drilled underneath, although there is a small hole filled with lead. The sling bar, as is usually found on Indian used carbines, has been cut away leaving short posts that show very heavy wear. Stacking swivel is missing. Bottom of stock, just in front of trigger guard has, what appears to be, the shank of a large nail or screw that shows heavy wear with worn wood surrounding. It’s likely that this was a screw inserted to support a crack in bottom of stock. Also on right side by trigger is a complete wood screw which was inserted by an armorer to relive tension on the sear to improve accuracy. This is a practice that has been observed in other 7th Cav carbines, apparently allowed by their officers. This carbine falls exactly in the range of some of last shipments of 1873 carbines sent to 7th Cavalry prior to their departure to the Little Big Horn. It has a Type 1 breechblock, a Type 1 thumbpiece and early firing pin with beveled large striking face and shoulder for sping. It has all earmarks of an Indian-used firearm with appropriate condition. Accompanied by the orig letter from Dr. Kenneth O. Leonard where he states “the Indian used 45-70 was a gun from Sitting Bull’s land. I can’t prove they got it from the Little Big Horn, but it is from that area. All that Judge Zahn stuff went together.” Signed “Kenneth O. Leonard”. PROVENANCE: Ralph Heinz Collection. CONDITION: Fair. No orig finish remains with metal being a smooth worn silver/brown patina with deep scratches about mid-point around bbl commensurate with twisting wire fences to break it. There are numerous small hammer marks on breech block and on top of bbl in front of band. Stock has cracks on both sides and on bottom in front of trigger guard and shows heavy wear with a slight depression from being carried over a saddle bow. It has numerous small nicks & scratches and retains a fine hand worn patina. End of hinge pin is broken away and breech block is loose, otherwise mechanics are functioning. Worn, dark bore. 4-32344 JR440 (5,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007

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
	2057	$12,075.00	Revised: 10/19/2007 (Additional Information) Consignor notes that SN33155 is an associated Custer Battlefield Carbine and appears in a list of guns known to have been returned to the armory, used, or picked up on the battlefield. INDIAN USED RARE CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE. SN 33021. Cal. 45-70. Authentic standard & 1873 carbine with 22″ bbl, with square base front sight base missing blade and also missing rear sight which was apparently broken away early during period of use as the remains of screws are still in their holes and are heavily worn & polished. Breech block has the “1873” date with eagle head, crossed arrows and “US” and with an “1873” dated lockplate. Receiver is cracked in two places on left side with a hand forged band holding it together with an appropriate groove cut in wood underneath. Mounted in an orig 1873 carbine stock with carbine buttplate without trap and buttstock is not drilled underneath, although there is a small hole filled with lead. The sling bar, as is usually found on Indian used carbines, has been cut away leaving short posts that show very heavy wear. Stacking swivel is missing. Bottom of stock, just in front of trigger guard has, what appears to be, the shank of a large nail or screw that shows heavy wear with worn wood surrounding. It’s likely that this was a screw inserted to support a crack in bottom of stock. Also on right side by trigger is a complete wood screw which was inserted by an armorer to relive tension on the sear to improve accuracy. This is a practice that has been observed in other 7th Cav carbines, apparently allowed by their officers. This carbine falls exactly in the range of some of last shipments of 1873 carbines sent to 7th Cavalry prior to their departure to the Little Big Horn. It has a Type 1 breechblock, a Type 1 thumbpiece and early firing pin with beveled large striking face and shoulder for sping. It has all earmarks of an Indian-used firearm with appropriate condition. Accompanied by the orig letter from Dr. Kenneth O. Leonard where he states “the Indian used 45-70 was a gun from Sitting Bull’s land. I can’t prove they got it from the Little Big Horn, but it is from that area. All that Judge Zahn stuff went together.” Signed “Kenneth O. Leonard”. PROVENANCE: Ralph Heinz Collection. CONDITION: Fair. No orig finish remains with metal being a smooth worn silver/brown patina with deep scratches about mid-point around bbl commensurate with twisting wire fences to break it. There are numerous small hammer marks on breech block and on top of bbl in front of band. Stock has cracks on both sides and on bottom in front of trigger guard and shows heavy wear with a slight depression from being carried over a saddle bow. It has numerous small nicks & scratches and retains a fine hand worn patina. End of hinge pin is broken away and breech block is loose, otherwise mechanics are functioning. Worn, dark bore. 4-32344 JR440 (5,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2007 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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