RARE & HISTORIC CUSTER RANGE, INDIAN USED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 TRAPDOOR CARBINE.

RARE & HISTORIC CUSTER RANGE, INDIAN USED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 TRAPDOOR CARBINE. Cal. 45-70. SN 43332. Standard 73 carbine with 22″ bbl, square base front sight & correct 1200 yard ladder rear sight. It has “1873” dated high-arch breech block & lockplate with usual markings. It is mounted in a 1-pc walnut stock that has been completely shattered through the wrist with a large chunk missing and at one time was wrapped with rawhide secured with small rnd head nails. It has the orig 2-pc trigger guard & a “P” proof visible back of the lower tang, along with the outline of an oval cartouche on the left side of the wrist. Buttplate is the orig 1873 style without trapdoor & the stock is not drilled for a trap. Left side has a sling bar & ring. Consignor states that this carbine surfaced in Central Oregon in 2004 where it had been in the same family for about 80 years. It allegedly came to the family from an indigent Indian or Mexican in exchange for food money.

Government records show that the 7th Cavalry Companies D, I & K were the last of Custer’s troops to be armed with the “new” trapdoor carbine in the 2nd quarter of 1875 and their carbines are found in serial ranges 33,000-43,700. Carbine #43345 is identified as having been recovered at the Tongue River by the 7th Cavalry and returned to Fort Lincoln, June 6, 1878. Springfield records list 43617 as one of the 22 Model 1873 carbines returned by the 7th Cavalry after the Custer Fight as damaged or non-serviceable. Therefore it stands to reason that this carbine was very likely at the Little Bighorn with one of Custer’s troops and subsequently captured by an Indian.

CONDITION: As previously noted, the metal has traces of orig finish in the very sheltered areas, being mostly a dark brown patina. Stock, with its shattered wrist & leather repair, that has been severely mouse chewed, retains a dark patina showing considerable saddle bow wear on the bottom of the forestock. Stacking swivel has been removed from the bbl band as was common practice amongst the troops. Mechanics are crisp, breech block slightly loose, strong bore with good shine & light to moderate pitting. A rare & historic carbine. 4-55119 JR641 (30,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

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
	4047	$0.00	RARE & HISTORIC CUSTER RANGE, INDIAN USED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 TRAPDOOR CARBINE. Cal. 45-70. SN 43332. Standard 73 carbine with 22″ bbl, square base front sight & correct 1200 yard ladder rear sight. It has “1873” dated high-arch breech block & lockplate with usual markings. It is mounted in a 1-pc walnut stock that has been completely shattered through the wrist with a large chunk missing and at one time was wrapped with rawhide secured with small rnd head nails. It has the orig 2-pc trigger guard & a “P” proof visible back of the lower tang, along with the outline of an oval cartouche on the left side of the wrist. Buttplate is the orig 1873 style without trapdoor & the stock is not drilled for a trap. Left side has a sling bar & ring. Consignor states that this carbine surfaced in Central Oregon in 2004 where it had been in the same family for about 80 years. It allegedly came to the family from an indigent Indian or Mexican in exchange for food money. Government records show that the 7th Cavalry Companies D, I & K were the last of Custer’s troops to be armed with the “new” trapdoor carbine in the 2nd quarter of 1875 and their carbines are found in serial ranges 33,000-43,700. Carbine #43345 is identified as having been recovered at the Tongue River by the 7th Cavalry and returned to Fort Lincoln, June 6, 1878. Springfield records list 43617 as one of the 22 Model 1873 carbines returned by the 7th Cavalry after the Custer Fight as damaged or non-serviceable. Therefore it stands to reason that this carbine was very likely at the Little Bighorn with one of Custer’s troops and subsequently captured by an Indian. CONDITION: As previously noted, the metal has traces of orig finish in the very sheltered areas, being mostly a dark brown patina. Stock, with its shattered wrist & leather repair, that has been severely mouse chewed, retains a dark patina showing considerable saddle bow wear on the bottom of the forestock. Stacking swivel has been removed from the bbl band as was common practice amongst the troops. Mechanics are crisp, breech block slightly loose, strong bore with good shine & light to moderate pitting. A rare & historic carbine. 4-55119 JR641 (30,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 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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