April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This carbine comes with a forensic letter from Douglas Scott and Dick Harmon dated July 3rd, 2006 confirming that trapdoor carbine serial number 41219 matches to field study 4625. The firing pin imprint on the case at the Battle of the Little Bighorn matches field specimen 4625 which includes cases number 4625, 4636, and 4683 found in 1985 found on the Reno-Benteen defensive site after a fire revealed their locations in the brush alongside 6000 other artifacts. Letter states "Match is a good one with several unique features such as mark depths, lengths, and several other features that match perfectly for the archaeological specimen." This carbine is an original early issue 1873 carbine that features the proper pinned 1873 carbine rear sight, front band sans stacking swivel, saddle ring and bar, stake post front sight, proper buttplate sans hole, proper stock sans hole for cleaning rod, long wrist, and two piece trigger guard. Any cartouche that was present at one time is no longer visible with the exception of the light proof "P" on bottom of wrist. There is a very faint "W / W" stamped in wood in front of trigger guard which is not a Springfield cartouche and instead may indicate possession by one of two troopers killed June 25th, 1876, William Whaley and Willis Wright, both of whom would have the WW initials. It would be a very fair assumption since this carbine matches cartridge cases fired at the battlefield that this rifle belonged to one of these two troopers. The WW was definitely stamped and not carved, is very small, and period correct as there is a large period ding in the wood partially obscuring the lower W. Both letters are extremely innocuous and most likely intended for trooper identification by its owner as access to the small W stamp would have been readily available at the fort print shop. We do not include the histories of these two troopers as it is easily accessed through online rosters of the 7th Cavalry. There is little to no signs of so-called abusive Indian usage, which would indicate it was recovered from the battlefield by US militia and not Indians. CONDITION: Extremely good to fine condition. Barrel and all metal is a deep, rich, smooth chocolate patina with sharp legends on the block "1873 (Eagle Head with Arrows) US". Some fading to the "US Springfield 1873 (Eagle)" on sideplate. Stock is in very good to excellent condition. Stock appears to have been oiled and rubbed down but you can still feel the raised grain. There are two plugged small holes on the lower forend and at the rear of the buttstock, purpose unknown, but quite possibly done for sling attachment since the band does not have an attachment point. Fine working order. Well defined bore with light abrasion. Very presentable non-Indian used forensically identified Springfield carbine used at the Battle of the Little Bighorn and probable ID to one of two potential troopers. Comes with copies of the dated forensic reports from Scott & Harmon.
Caliber/Bore
.45-55 (.45-70)