April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This Custer Era 1873 carbine comes with a plethora of information, diagrams, etc., detailing its relationship to Custer and the ensuing battle. There is a diagram pointing to ever aspect of this carbine, describing to what period of carbine it was originally issued. According to the research an early 1877 stock was sent to units in the field to replace the weaker 1873 stocks. They show all the correct early parts with the exception of the stock. This information also includes a story about a documented Custer battlefield '73 carbine was found after the battle in 1904. This carbine, serial numbered 41737, is only six numbers off the documented battlefield carbine, which was 41743. Additionally, the carbine is accompanied by the following: A original copy of the 1970's magazine "Guns of the World" that published the article entitled "The Story of Two Guns". One of the weapons mentioned in that article was a Model 1873 Springfield .45-70 carbine found near the Little Big Horn battlefield in 1904 with serial number 41743. A letter from the National Park Service, confirming that this was in the proper serial number range for a Custer Era carbine, a letter from the Associate Curator of the Smithsonian discussing the serial number range of the Custer carbines, a list of turned in carbines, on which this gun does not appear, a master table of Little Big Horn serial numbers, a rare auction catalog of the personal collection of Custer related material belonging to Dale Anderson, and two early collectors Springfield Research Service serial number books. The carbine itself falls right into the middle of the Custer serial number range and has all the original parts from when it was made, except for the stock which was updated to a sturdier 1877 stock. Lock is dated 1873 with eagle. Left side of stock has the "ESA 1877" cartouche in oval, standing for Erskine S. Allin, the designer of the 1873. He began working at the Springfield from 1853-1878 and he replaced the weaker stock with a Model 1877 stock. After the Battle of the Little Big Horn, all carbines found on the battlefield that were damaged and not serviceable were burned and buried. The trapdoors with Reno and Benteen's units and others found on the battlefield that were serviceable went back to the units. Any surviving '73s were given a new stronger 1877 stock from the Springfield Arsenal, this was to replace the weaker stock still being used in the field. This model 1873 Springfield carbine has retained all the correct early model 1873 features: Early 1873 lock plate, trigger and guard, high arch breech block with 1873 stamp, eagle head and crossed arrows, 1874 early rear sight with outscrew slots, the 1875 hammer with three position tumbler, the smooth trigger, barrel band with dated stacking swivel, early barrel without proofing and has flat end etc.. The Model 1877 stock has a buttplate trap that holds a three piece ramrod. There is an oval "1877 ESA" cartouche applied during the first 2-years of the Model 1877 inception. The stock does have the early circle "P" proof mark, also in front of the trigger bar is stamped with a capital "AL", this indication that the carbine went through the replacement at a post arsenal. CONDITION: All metal is a soft grey patina, stock is excellent with a few minor dings, readable cartouche. Fine bore and action with sharp lands and grooves. Case colored block has patterned out with traces in recess. A very well cared for Custer era battlefield possibility along with definitive evidence that the carbine was once part of the U.S. Army cavalry. Truly a wonderful example and is fresh to the market.