Springfield 1873 Serial Numbers

Prime Custer Range 1st Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine, #43560, .45-70 cal., 22' barrel, originally with blue and case hardened finish, standard walnut carbine stock, sideplate marked 'US/Springfield/1873', standard 'US' marking to upper tang of buttplate, and breechblock marked 'Model 1873' over eagle/US (1st variation markings). Correct front barrel band with patent date on lower portion of swivel, iron firing pin, early 1st Type breechblock thumb piece, and long wrist stock. Three-position tumbler is correct for all rifles and carbines after approx. serial no. 20,000. 2nd Type hammer with oval stamped knurling is also correct for rifles and carbines in this serial number range. Accompanying information from a Jan.-Feb. 1988 Man at Arms article by Wiley Sword, entitled '7th Cavalry Serial Numbers/Springfield Carbines', includes a list of the 25 7th Cavalry Carbine serial numbers in the National Archive Records to that point. This, combined with forensically matched .45-55 caliber cartridge cases found on the battlefield since this survey, place this Carbine's serial number in between two documented 7th Cavalry arms, serial #43540 and #43617. One must remember that, although chambered for .45-70, the contemporary Carbine round was a 405-grain bullet of .45 caliber with 55 grains of black powder. It is estimated that the 7th Cavalry were armed with 650 of these Carbines when they left Ft. Lincoln. Of these, 275 were captured, lost, or damaged during the Battle of Little Big Horn. Firing pin analysis of the 715 .45-55 cartridge cases found on the battlefield tell us that they had been fired in 131 individual Carbines. At least six Springfield Model 1873 Carbines have been matched to these found cartridge cases. Samples from this Carbine have yet to be submitted. This Carbine was purchased over 40 years ago from the Grant family, who lived in Southeast Montana in 1890, in a two-gun deal; the other rifle being a Henry marked 1866 Winchester with a broken buttstock and 'lots of tacks' (see accompanying 3'x5' card). It is interesting to note that some experts believe that the remaining Carbines left behind at Ft. Lincoln were retro-fitted with butt traps sometime after the battle. This Carbine bears no such modification. Condition is good to very good retaining approx. 30% thinning and flaking blue to barrel assembly with the balance having turned a dark grayish brown patina. Breechblock has toned mostly dark with traces of original color to interior. Stock with moderate to heavy scuffs, dings, scratches, and fissures. Mechanically this Carbine remains in very good to near fine condition with all parts functioning, and a bore that is very good with just light overall toning. Last digits of serial number are slightly obliterated where top of breechblock makes contact with rear portion of frame. This fascinating Carbine bears further forensic study.

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