170 of 204 lots
170
Composite Early US Model 1873 Trapdoor Springfield Carbine
Estimate: $2,000-$3,000
Sold
$3,000
Live Auction
Arms, Armor and Militaria
Location
Cincinnati
Description

Composite Early US Model 1873 Trapdoor Springfield Carbine

Indian Wars


.45-70. 22" barrel. SN: 35761 (mfg. ca. 1875). Blued and color casehardened finish, walnut carbine stock with 9" short comb. Single shot metallic cartridge Trapdoor action breechloading military carbine with M1873 1,200 yard ladder rear sight secured with slotless screws, musket style front sight, carbine sling bar and ring on reverse, triggerguard without sling swivel, smooth trigger, three-click tumbler, coarsely checkered hammer spur, solid buttplate. Correct early lock markings with 1873 date, correct early high arch breech with four line 1873/{Eagle Head}/{Crossed Arrows}/US marking. No barrel proofs, as is correct. No visible cartouche as would be correct for a replacement stock. Incorrect features are upper barrel band with swivel stud, and hole in butt for cleaning rods. Stock with numerous carved initials, most notably a large JL on the obverse butt that has been modified further to read J B LITTLE JOHN. Overall a mostly correct pre-Little Bighorn 1873 carbine with a well worn, "been there, done that" look of a gun that spent a lot of time on the prairie. {ANTIQUE}


This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Condition
Fair to good. Bore dark, dirty and pitted with visible rifling. Metal with a thickly oxidized brown patina and scattered areas of light surface roughness and some pitting. Mechanically functional action. Wood well worn with numerous bumps, dings, dents and mars and several areas of carved letters. A sliver of wood is missing from the off side of the tang.