January 23, 2026 Old West & Native American Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/23/2026
Although carbines produced prior to the Battle of Little Bighorn (those under approximately serial number 50,000) are considered "Custer Range", most of most of the carbines issued to the 7th Cavalry fall into a few tighter ranges: 17000-19000, 21000-22000, 32000-37000, and 42000, with the highest density of known carbines in the 21000 range. 21573 and 21669 are recorded as recaptured after the Battle of Little Bighorn. An 1877 list of unserviceable arms turned in by Captain Benteen after the Battle includes numbers 21023, 21313, 21439, 21551, 21553, 21561, 21609, 21685, 21841, and 22268. Captain Henry Jackson also turned in carbine 21483. This carbine number 21631 falls right among these known serial numbers, the closest just 22 numbers off. It was manufactured in the second quarter of 1874. It is fitted with a blued, correctly un-proofed 22" barrel with pinned front sight base, the blade no longer present, and an early style unmarked carbine ladder rear sight. High arch breech block marked "MODEL / 1873 / (eagle head with crossed arrows) / US". "U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873" marked lock with 2-click tumbler. Long-wrist/short comb walnut carbine stock without tool trap. Traces of a very faint script "ESA" cartouche visible on the left flat. Saddle ring and bar have been removed, a possible Native American modification.
Condition: Gun has an even applied chocolate brown patina, with evidence of older cleaned oxidation spotting, the breech with some spots of oxidation. Stock has a nice dark appearance with scattered dings as cleaned lightly long ago. A characteristic hairline split present at the the rear sling bar mount. Well-defined 3-groove rifling with some black powder abrasion. Good mechanics.