GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
RARE AND FINE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1873 CARBINE, CUSTER SERIAL RANGE WITH "INDIAN STAR" SYMBOL. SN: 34136. Cal. 45-70. There have been several articles published about Springfield carbines shipped to the 7th US Cavalry at Ft. Abraham Lincoln in April and May of 1876 in the serial range 33,000-43,000. Several guns in this serial range have been noted with a carved or stamped star on the right buttstock. Several are published in an article by Robert Smith, Weapons with Spiritual Power, Man at Arms, August 1995 and SN 36509 is shown in Man at Arms - Roll of Honor, November 6, 2002, which has an identical star. The author "believes that the star is a Sioux symbol, perhaps indicating that the gun was captured by Indians at the Battle of the Little Bighorn". This appears to be a very honest orig gun in the correct configuration with no alterations, still retaining some orig finish, good inspectors marks and set of initials crudely cut in left stock. This is probably the nicest of this Custer era carbines with Indian star symbol. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Purchased as a shooter from a store in Dundee, Michigan just 20 miles from Custer's home in Monroe. CONDITION: Very good overall. Bbl and lock retain strong traces of orig finish with scattered pitting. Stock is sound with hand worn patina, numerous small dings and scuffs. Points of star emblem appear stamped with the initials opposite carved. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp bright bore. 51346-3 JS (5,000-10,000)