Sold For $6,013
*Includes Buyers Premium
Unaltered 'Custer Range' Springfield US Model 1873 Trapdoor Cavalry Carbine, serial #40958, .45-70 Gov’t., 22" barrel with a fine, bright bore that has some mild freckling within the grooves towards the muzzle. This is a handsome, 1875-made, pre-Little Bighorn carbine that has retained 90-95% of the original blue on the correctly unmarked barrel, and on the barrel band, band spring, stacking swivel, and lock. The trigger guard has about 70-75% of the original blue remaining with the balance having mild, plum-brown freckling, and the correct rear sight has some patches of mild surface freckling on either side of the base. The receiver and high-arch breechblock have a dark, oil-quenched case-hardened finish, while the saddle ring and bar have a mottled gray and blue-black patina. The walnut stock has numerous small scuffs and handling marks scattered about the original military oil finish with crisp "ESA" (Erskine S. Allin) inspector cartouche on the left side of the wrist, and "P (in circle)" firing proof on the belly of the stock just behind the trigger guard tang. The steel buttplate has a smooth plum-brown patina, with silvering along the edges.
Custer’s ill-fated 7th Cavalry received approximately 1,000 Model 1873 carbines falling within distinct serial number blocks prior to the battle against the Sioux on the Little Bighorn in June of 1876. This carbine falls within the 33000–43700 block from which Companies C, D, I, and K of the 7th Cavalry were known to have been issued their carbines, but unfortunately, no definitive list of 7th Cavalry-issued serial numbers exists. That being the case, original and unaltered Model 1873s are rare and desirable in their own right, and this example is in exceptionally nice condition.
This is an antique firearm and transfers with no federal restriction.
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
