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Outstanding 7th Cavalry Serial Number Range U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Outstanding 7th Cavalry Serial Number Range U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine
A rare example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Carbine within the serial number range of carbines documented as being used by the 7th Cavalry at the Battle of Little Bighorn. This carbine falls very close in serial range with U.S. Carbines No.17425 and No.17497, both issued to the 7th Cavalry before the Little Bighorn Battle. Carbines No. 17425 and 17497 were reported as unserviceable in August 1877 and were returned to Springfield Armory for repairs. This carbine is in the original Model 1873 configuration and has not been altered or arsenal-overhauled, retaining the original features including the 'long-wrist, short-comb' stock with no butt trap, barrel band with stacking swivel, carbine rear sight with 500-yard graduated base and 1200 yard leaf, high arch breechblock, coarse knurled hammer and two-click tumbler. The lock plate is stamped with the eagle and shield motif in front of the hammer followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873" in three lines, and the breechblock has the distinctive "MODEL/1873" with an eagle head over crossed arrows above "U.S.". Correctly, the barrel does not have the proof and inspection marks found on later carbine barrels. The buttplate is marked "US" in front of the upper screw. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with a script "ESA" final inspection stamp with an oval border. An encircled, script "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the wrist behind the trigger guard finial.
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45-70 Government
Finish: blue/ casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 17415


Excellent, with 95% of the original blue finish on the barrel, rear sight, barrel band and lock plate. The blue is thin on the receiver, hammer and trigger guard, with a blue/ brown patina on the buttplate. The case colors have faded to a silver-gray. Very fine stock, with a number of dents on the sides, bruising from the sling ring and crisp stamps. Mechanically excellent. This is an outstanding, original and unaltered example of an early production Model 1873 Springfield Carbine with a serial number that falls between the serial numbers of two documented Little Bighorn, 7th Cavalry Model 1873 Carbines. This is one of the best Model 1873 Carbines known in the 7th Cavalry serial number range.