US Springfield Model 1886 Experimental Carbine

Indian Wars

.45-70. 24" barrel. SN: 337421 (mfg. ca. 1886). Blued and color casehardened finish, walnut stock. Single shot breechloading experimental carbine with Trapdoor action, nearly full-length stock with single solid, spring-retained barrel band, three click tumbler, grooved trigger, trap in butt for cleaning rods and tools, correctly marked XC Buffington rear sight, block with pinned blade front sight, sling bar and ring and sling swivels with correctly curved upper swivel to allow the gun to be placed in the carbine boot or scabbard. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} and U.S./SPRINGFIELD forward of the hammer and low arch breech block with U.S./MODEL/1873 markings. Breech of barrel with V/P/{Eagle Head}/P marks. No visible cartouche. Only 1,000 of these scarce experimental "24-Inch Carbines" were produced at Springfield in 1886 for field trials. The guns were widely issued to cavalry regiments on active duty on the frontier, but in the end the shorter 22" barreled carbine remained the primary mounted long arm until the adoption of the Krag bolt action system in 1892. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.