The 'carbine-ized' one does indeed date to 1882. As such, the 'MODEL 1873' on the breech-block is correct. 'MODEL 1873' (with variations: eagles, crossed swords, etc.) was used on the breech-blocks from 1873 to 1884-1885, when 'MODEL 1884' came into use. FAQs About Trapdoor Arms. The most common of which looks like a five-petal flower) was used by Springfield to denote arms made with a combination of new and salvaged parts, to be held in reserve, or issued to and/or used by groups like the National Guard. Looking for serial numbers of U.S. Martial arms. As diligently as they searched.
- Springfield Model 1873 .45-70 (AL3712)
Us Model 1873 Springfield Rifle
Product Description
Springfield Model 1873 .45-70 caliber Trapdoor rifle converted to a sporting rifle! Bore is excellent. Barrel length 30”. Rear sight is a flip up ladder sight and in the down position is a buckhorn. Front sight is a Rocky Mountain silver blade. Gun serial number is 4177. These are referred to as Meachem Conversions and we have sold approximately 10-15 rifles like this one over the last 40 years. Very impressive Old West Hunters rifle!
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LOT #49214 | Sold for: JavaScript Must Be Enabled To View Pricing DataSign-in or Join (free & quick)Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
Battle of the Little Bighorn Used
U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine. Among relicsof famous battles, none are more highly prized and sought afterthan weapons. It is difficult to express the sense of awe one feelswhen holding in one's hands a firearm used in one of the mosticonic confrontations, the Battle of Little Bighorn.While several guns can be attributed to that fight by documentedprovenance, a new method for identifying Little Bighorn guns usingforensic evidence was developed in the 1980s. An accidental rangefire scorched most of the Reno battlefield, exposing a trove of6000 artifacts, among them 2000 cartridge cases and bullets firedduring the battle. The precise location of each object wascarefully recorded. Internationally-respected Americanarchaeologist Douglas Scott, working with a team from the NationalParks Service, utilized a process not unlike that employed incriminal investigations, where microscopic study of firing pin andejector marks on cartridges could be used to confirm that certainguns were actually used in the battle. Essential to the accuracy isthe fact that clear firing pin impressions as well as ejector markswere readable on most cartridges. These are necessary to be surethat the field samples being inspected and cartridges test-firedfrom a subject firearm were in alignment. Their initial study,which tested 133 promising guns in private collections and those ofthe Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Rock Island ArsenalMuseum, Little Bighorn Battlefield Museum, the Buffalo BillHistoric Center, and others yielded fifteen absolutely confirmedmatches. Their standards were rigorous, and guns which met theircriteria are now generally accepted as confirmed Battle-firedexamples.
The carbine offered here was matched to three individual shellcasings found at the location of the Benteen/ Reno defensiveposition. It is accompanied by a 2006 notarized letter signed byboth Doug Scott and Dick Harmon attesting to these matches (pleasesee the web site presentation of this lot to view that letter).Heritage is honored to present this incontrovertible Little Bighorncarbine, clearly one of the highlights of the remarkable SwansonCollection.
It is challenging to predict what a gun of this importance mightsell for. With the assistance of the consignor, we have been ableto confirm six public and private sales of Little Bighorn-usedguns. The highest was $650,000 and the average for the six was$315,000. Because of the absolute match to THREE Little Bighornshell casings, we feel that this should be considered one of themost desirable forensically-documented examples.
The following is a technical description of the gun provided by ourfirearms expert:
Serial no. 41219, 45-70 caliber, 22-inch barrel. Blade type frontsight and graduated rear sight. This particular gun does not havethe compartment on the butt. Lockplate marked '[American Eagle]'and 'U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873'. Breechblock marked 'MODEL / 1873 /over [eaglehead] over [crossed arrows] over US'. According toresearch, Model 1873s were the first of Springfield Trapdoorschambered for the 45-70 cartridge. Cartouche mark present nearlower tang [circle P], not visible near sling ring. Faint butlegible W / W on wood, front of triggerguard area. According toFlayderman's Guide, these guns were made c.1873 to 1877, with totalquantities in the 73,000 range [this number includes rifles,carbines and cadet rifles]. See 9A-364. Note: Pre-1876 madecarbines, under serial number 43,700, are considered typical of themodel armed with Custer's 7th Cavalry.
Condition: Very good plus. Barrel retains a blue/brownpatina with faint case colors present to breech. Some bluing toprotected areas. Some pitting present near muzzle and somescattered scuffs and dings to handling areas of metal. Stock withnumerous dents, bruising and scuffs throughout, typical of thismodel. Some shrinkage and loses to wood around buttplate area.Marred screws. Action good, bore ok.
From the Glenwood Swanson Collection.
Us Springfield Model 1873 Rifle
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