RARE & HISTORIC CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR CARBINE.

RARE & HISTORIC CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR CARBINE. Cal. 45-70. SN 39348. According to existing records this carbine was manufactured in February 1875, and subsequently issued. Companies “D”, “I” and “K” of Custer’s 7th Cavalry were the last to receive their carbines. Companies “D” & “K” were with Benteen and Reno while Company “I” died with Custer in 1876.

This is a standard issue 1873 carbine with 22″ rnd bbl, homemade copper front sight blade and ladder rear sight missing the slide. It is mounted in a standard 1-pc carbine stock with correct bbl band, trigger guard & buttplate. The butt is properly not drilled for the trapdoor tool recesses. The most prominent feature is the shattered wrist that has been laced with a clever rawhide wrapping over small sticks to help support the break. The rawhide shows substantial wear and dark staining from hand oil. The forestock is greatly worn with a concave appearance from saddlebow wear. The sling bar was apparently cut from the forward base and the rear base is missing. The buttstock has the hand incise carved initials “MH” on the left side. The high arch breechblock has the usual 1873 markings as does the lockplate.

Research of troopers at the Custer fight disclosed that Company I, who died with Custer, had a Private by the name of Marion E. Horn and it is believed that this was his carbine. Accompanying this lot is a printed email correspondence between John A. Doerner, Chief Historian at the Little Big Horn Battlefield and a Major Tom Vanderbeck, which states that this carbine was manufactured in February 1875, which information was provided by John Colton at the Springfield Armory Museum. Apparently Mr. Colton had stated that all of the 1873 carbines were “turned in and the receivers were changed out between 1879 and 1881”. Since this carbine is in orig configuration it is readily apparent that it was lost before 1881. Mr. Doerner apparently stated that an Indian or a settler or farmer could have applied the rawhide wrap. Also accompanying is a reproduced article from Man at Arms magazine regarding guns at the Little Big Horn and the weapons of Custer’s Last Stand. The article discloses that Rock Island Arsenal records show that the 1875 carbine issues were scattered throughout the 33,000 – 43,500 range and were issued to the 2nd and 7th cavalries. Among these issues were 122 regimental identified serial numbers, of which 25 carbines were identified with the 7th Cavalry and fall within the serial number ranges of 12,000 through 43,000. The article also states that companies “D”, “I” and “K” of the 7th Cavalry were re-armed in the 2nd quarter of 1875 and seem to have carried mostly higher serial numbered carbines from fiscal year 1875 production in the ranges of 33,000 – 43,700. Additionally accompanying is a reproduced partial listing of Custer’s 7th Cavalry, which discloses the name of Marion E. Horn and shows he was assigned to Company I as a Private and died with Custer’s column on June 25, 1876 at the Little Big Horn.

Consignor, who resides in Montana, states that his family obtained this carbine from an Indian who told them that his grandfather had obtained it during the Battle of the Little Big Horn. The area where it was found further supports this supposition. It has remained in the consignor’s family to this date. This wonderful and historic carbine almost certainly was issued to the 7th Cavalry and likely did belong to Trooper Horn and saw action in the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Its subsequent frontier service is readily apparent from the extensive wear, damages and repairs. An opportunity to obtain such an historic and desirable firearm seldom comes along.

CONDITION: As previously noted, extremely worn with heavy frontier use and abuse with the aforementioned repairs. Metal is mostly a dark brown patina with light surface rust and pitting. Receiver and lockplate show traces of silvered case colors. Mechanics are still fine, although the breechblock is worn and loose. Very worn dark bore with a ring about mid-point. 4-53642 JR26 (50,000-150,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	736B.	$63,250.00	RARE & HISTORIC CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR CARBINE. Cal. 45-70. SN 39348. According to existing records this carbine was manufactured in February 1875, and subsequently issued. Companies “D”, “I” and “K” of Custer’s 7th Cavalry were the last to receive their carbines. Companies “D” & “K” were with Benteen and Reno while Company “I” died with Custer in 1876. This is a standard issue 1873 carbine with 22″ rnd bbl, homemade copper front sight blade and ladder rear sight missing the slide. It is mounted in a standard 1-pc carbine stock with correct bbl band, trigger guard & buttplate. The butt is properly not drilled for the trapdoor tool recesses. The most prominent feature is the shattered wrist that has been laced with a clever rawhide wrapping over small sticks to help support the break. The rawhide shows substantial wear and dark staining from hand oil. The forestock is greatly worn with a concave appearance from saddlebow wear. The sling bar was apparently cut from the forward base and the rear base is missing. The buttstock has the hand incise carved initials “MH” on the left side. The high arch breechblock has the usual 1873 markings as does the lockplate. Research of troopers at the Custer fight disclosed that Company I, who died with Custer, had a Private by the name of Marion E. Horn and it is believed that this was his carbine. Accompanying this lot is a printed email correspondence between John A. Doerner, Chief Historian at the Little Big Horn Battlefield and a Major Tom Vanderbeck, which states that this carbine was manufactured in February 1875, which information was provided by John Colton at the Springfield Armory Museum. Apparently Mr. Colton had stated that all of the 1873 carbines were “turned in and the receivers were changed out between 1879 and 1881”. Since this carbine is in orig configuration it is readily apparent that it was lost before 1881. Mr. Doerner apparently stated that an Indian or a settler or farmer could have applied the rawhide wrap. Also accompanying is a reproduced article from Man at Arms magazine regarding guns at the Little Big Horn and the weapons of Custer’s Last Stand. The article discloses that Rock Island Arsenal records show that the 1875 carbine issues were scattered throughout the 33,000 – 43,500 range and were issued to the 2nd and 7th cavalries. Among these issues were 122 regimental identified serial numbers, of which 25 carbines were identified with the 7th Cavalry and fall within the serial number ranges of 12,000 through 43,000. The article also states that companies “D”, “I” and “K” of the 7th Cavalry were re-armed in the 2nd quarter of 1875 and seem to have carried mostly higher serial numbered carbines from fiscal year 1875 production in the ranges of 33,000 – 43,700. Additionally accompanying is a reproduced partial listing of Custer’s 7th Cavalry, which discloses the name of Marion E. Horn and shows he was assigned to Company I as a Private and died with Custer’s column on June 25, 1876 at the Little Big Horn. Consignor, who resides in Montana, states that his family obtained this carbine from an Indian who told them that his grandfather had obtained it during the Battle of the Little Big Horn. The area where it was found further supports this supposition. It has remained in the consignor’s family to this date. This wonderful and historic carbine almost certainly was issued to the 7th Cavalry and likely did belong to Trooper Horn and saw action in the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Its subsequent frontier service is readily apparent from the extensive wear, damages and repairs. An opportunity to obtain such an historic and desirable firearm seldom comes along. CONDITION: As previously noted, extremely worn with heavy frontier use and abuse with the aforementioned repairs. Metal is mostly a dark brown patina with light surface rust and pitting. Receiver and lockplate show traces of silvered case colors. Mechanics are still fine, although the breechblock is worn and loose. Very worn dark bore with a ring about mid-point. 4-53642 JR26 (50,000-150,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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