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

RARE INDIAN USED CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE. SN 43540. Cal. 45-70. Authentic & completely orig 1873 saddle ring carbine with 22″ rnd bbl, rectangular base front sight and ladder rear sight graduated in steps to 500 yards on the base and 1,200 yards on the staff. Breech block has high arch and is marked “MODEL / 1873 / EAGLEHEAD / CROSSED SABERS / US” and the lockplate is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873” with a spread winged American eagle forward of the hammer. Mounted in a 1-pc, 1873 carbine buttstock with single band that has spring keeper and a stacking swivel. Trigger guard is 2-pc without sling swivel and the buttplate is a standard smooth carbine/musket buttplate without trap and the stock is not drilled underneath the buttplate. Left side of stock, by the action, has a sling bar & ring and there is a clear oval “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche on left wrist. Right side of buttstock at the buttplate is carved with a large 5-pointed star that has a circle in the center. This carbine falls well within the known serial ranges to have been with Custer at the Little Big Horn and captured by the Indians at the battle. The fact that this carbine retains high orig condition for an Indian gun is testament to the premise that it was probably recaptured by the military in a subsequent battle or turned in by an Indian when he surrendered and his weapons were confiscated. Close examination of the star in the stock discloses heavy orig patina down in the marking lending credence to its presence for the life of the carbine. The spiritual significance of the star marking is discussed in the paragraph preceding the listing for this and two other similarly marked carbines being sold in this auction. PROVENANCE: Robert W. Smith Collection. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Overall the bbl retains most of its orig Springfield blue turned dark & plummy with scattered freckles of light rust. Breech block, lockplate & hammer are a dark plum blue patina. Trigger guard & buttplate are a dark plummy patina with light surface rust. Stock has a hairline back of the lockplate, otherwise is completely sound showing light wear with light handling & use marks and retains a wonderful hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, dark bore with strong rifling & moderate pitting, may clean better. 4-40786 JR339 (10,000-20,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

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
	2325	$11,500.00	RARE INDIAN USED CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE. SN 43540. Cal. 45-70. Authentic & completely orig 1873 saddle ring carbine with 22″ rnd bbl, rectangular base front sight and ladder rear sight graduated in steps to 500 yards on the base and 1,200 yards on the staff. Breech block has high arch and is marked “MODEL / 1873 / EAGLEHEAD / CROSSED SABERS / US” and the lockplate is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873” with a spread winged American eagle forward of the hammer. Mounted in a 1-pc, 1873 carbine buttstock with single band that has spring keeper and a stacking swivel. Trigger guard is 2-pc without sling swivel and the buttplate is a standard smooth carbine/musket buttplate without trap and the stock is not drilled underneath the buttplate. Left side of stock, by the action, has a sling bar & ring and there is a clear oval “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche on left wrist. Right side of buttstock at the buttplate is carved with a large 5-pointed star that has a circle in the center. This carbine falls well within the known serial ranges to have been with Custer at the Little Big Horn and captured by the Indians at the battle. The fact that this carbine retains high orig condition for an Indian gun is testament to the premise that it was probably recaptured by the military in a subsequent battle or turned in by an Indian when he surrendered and his weapons were confiscated. Close examination of the star in the stock discloses heavy orig patina down in the marking lending credence to its presence for the life of the carbine. The spiritual significance of the star marking is discussed in the paragraph preceding the listing for this and two other similarly marked carbines being sold in this auction. PROVENANCE: Robert W. Smith Collection. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Overall the bbl retains most of its orig Springfield blue turned dark & plummy with scattered freckles of light rust. Breech block, lockplate & hammer are a dark plum blue patina. Trigger guard & buttplate are a dark plummy patina with light surface rust. Stock has a hairline back of the lockplate, otherwise is completely sound showing light wear with light handling & use marks and retains a wonderful hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, dark bore with strong rifling & moderate pitting, may clean better. 4-40786 JR339 (10,000-20,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 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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