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Custer Era Indian Scouts Outfit - Circa 1876
Guns International #: 101411786 Seller's Inventory #: Item #1494
Category: Collectibles - Native American - Collectibles - Western
Seller's Information
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Seller: Clarks Antiques
Member Since: 9/22/19
First Name: Clark
Last Name: Linss
State: Arizona
Zip: 85390
Country: United States
Phone: (541) 233-6642
Number of Active Listings: 0
Total Number of Listings: 43
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
We ship USPS registered mail
Payment Types Accepted: Personal Checks or Major Credit Cards
Description:
A fantastic Indian Scouts outfit from the Custer era. This is a beautiful outfit showing use and carry, but still a 100% complete with no major damage or losses. This is exactly what an Indian Scout would have used while in the employment of the U. S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars. Whoever owned this outfit took very good care of it. It's a beautiful grouping of Indian Scout fighting arms from the Indian wars era.
The revolver is an early Smith & Wesson Model 3, Russian First Model Single Action (also known as the Old, Old Model Russian) shipped about March 13, 1873, per factory letter - included. Serial #17XXX, 44 S & W Russian C.F. caliber, with 6” barrel. The gun is in overall good original condition with a lanyard ring on the butt and the wood grips that fit perfectly, although numbered to another gun. The mechanics are good and the bore is good. The finish has turned to a dark brown patina overall with some case color showing on the hammer. All parts are original with the original steel front sight that has not been altered. It fits into the holster perfectly.
The holster is an original Northern Plains Indian “Scout” style. Its small beads are attached to the buckskin holster with sinew thread, showing American flags on the flap and Indian designs on the pouch. The entire buckskin holster has been overlaid onto a slab of rawhide. It was probably originally backed with trade cloth which was normal for the time. The overlay was most likely done in the early 1900’s when the trade cloth wore out or crumbled. A new belt strap, of the same rawhide, was also added and the entire holster was sewn with rawhide stitching. The overlay was excellently accomplished. The bead work shows no losses and the original buckskin shows darkening from age. The S & W Revolver fits perfectly. The holster flap is held down by rawhide thongs – new holes were punched for this at the time of the overlay restoration. The bead work is beautifully accomplished and appears to be a Lakota Sioux style, although I am not an authority on Indian artifacts and my research found nothing identical to this piece. The overall condition of the holster and bead work, with its restoration, is very good to fine – considering its age.
The belt is an early pattern 1876 Prairie Belt. This type was issued to the U. S. Cavalry and referred to as a “scouting belt”. These belts would accommodate 45-70 rifle/carbine cartridges and had no provision for sabers or holsters. Most, as this one does, show typical field modifications of shortening at the buckle and tongue. The belt is 2 ½” wide x 36” long (size 32). It’s in good condition showing some crazing and fraying on the cartridge loops.
The rifle is a U.S. marked Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle cut down to carbine size. Its serial number is 67XXX, indicating 1876 manufactory. Its Indian decorated and shows rough use, but in much better condition than most Indian guns. The condition is consistent with the rest of the outfit. The mechanics are good, markings good (a little light on the side plate) and the bore is fair, showing lots of use but no pitting. The front sight is crudely mounted to the barrel and the rear sight, although complete, shows some breakage and looseness. The wood shows minor damage from use, but is still solid. The cleaning rod slot has been filled with a piece of wood and worn smooth from many years of use. All the tacks are still present and the butt plate removed and replaced with a piece of leather tacked in its place. Indians typically removed these butt plates and used them as hide scrappers.
A great grouping of an Indian Scout's armament from the Custer era.
We at Clarks Antiques are collectors of original vintage and antique old west gun leather. We have an extensive selection of authentic holsters, belts and leather items for your cowboy era firearms, at our home on line. Search for Clarks Antiques in google.
SOLD