GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
VERY FINE CUSTER RANGE MODEL 1873 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR CARBINE.SPRINGFIELD1873 CARBINE3377745-70Cal. 45-70. This is a very fine example with good collection history that is in the serial range of some Custer used carbines. Two carbines in the 37000 range (37178 & 37225) were returned after the Little Bighorn Battle June 25, 1876. Other 33000 serial range guns are found in records of the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 9th, & 10th U.S. Cavalry also in the Indian War era. This gun was originally in the collection of Howard Cole, the well known author of numerous books on American fighting knives and later in the collection of author Stephen Dorsey. Mr Dorsey described this carbine "Simply this is the finest U.S. Springfield carbine I have ever seen for sale, it has been in my collection for 25 years...". This is a standard trapdoor carbine with 22" rnd bbl, square base front sight and 1200 yard ladder rear sight. Breechblock and lockplate both have standard 1873 markings. Mounted in a 1-pc walnut half stock with single band that has stacking swivel and sling bar and ring in left side with 2-pc trigger guard. Left side of wrist has a strong "ESA" cartouche, and circle "P" proof on bottom rear of trigger guard. PROVENANCE: Ex-Collection of M. Howard Cole, Birmingham, Alabama; Ex-Collection of Stephen Dorsey 1982; David Pierce Collection in 2007. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, appears all matching and orig. Markings are crisp and discernible. Metal is overall plum/blue retaining about half of its orig finish with scattered cosmetic defects, light pitting. This gun did see use as noted by solid well fit stock with hand-worn patina with light saddle wear. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp rifling in bore. 51735-3 JS (6,000-8,000)