December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
M1870 .50-70 Springfield Trapdoor rifle that shows heavy Indian use. A scarce weapon in its own right, just under 10,000 of these were converted to centerfire using the M1863 muskets in government storage. Oral history from consignor's grandmother was that rifle was picked up from the battlefields of the Lava Beds in Northern California during the 1872-1873 Modoc War. Rifle shows heavy dark patina overall consistent with field use in harsh climates. There is pommel or saddle wear to the forend underside and a missing cleaning rod typical of captured rifles. There are 7 brass tack holes with 1 very aged and heavy patinated tack remaining. The others have fallen out from wood shrinkage but the indentations and shank holes remain. Research indicates that there are other known Modoc recovered rifle of this exact make and model. According to the National Park Service, a few notes may be found concerning the small arms used by the combatants. The standard weapon for infantrymen at the time of the Modoc War was the .50 cal. Springfield musket, M1868 or M1870. There are several references to Springfields in the records and it is assumed that the infantry companies and most of the artillery batteries were armed with this weapon. Ammunition forwarded to the Lava Beds from the Vancouver Arsenal included 40,000 rounds, center-primed, metallic cartridges, caliber .50. The report also discusses the Modocs collecting weapons in the field after the 1st battle of the Stronghold—carbines and rifles of various makes. They probably collected even more after their attack on the Thomas patrol, April 26. It may be assumed they were as well armed as the troops, many of their weapons being army-issue. The Yreka Union reported in March 1873 that the Modocs had 13 breech-loading rifles, four of them "needle" or Springfield rifles (referring to the M1870). They were also said to have a number of muzzle-loading weapons. Overall, there is a very strong case that can be made that this is indeed a Modoc War battlefield pickup that saw Indian use. If only this one could talk. CONDITION: Heavy overall frontier patina with surface brown metal and dark bore. Strong 2 click hammer lockup with good trigger mechanics. Extractor present but sticky with age. BRM.