Guns International #: 101760118

Category - Springfield Rifles - Trapdoor - Military Rifles - Antique

Category
Springfield Rifles - Trapdoor
Military Rifles - Antique

CLASSIC INDIAN WARS SPRINGFIELD 1879 TRAPDOOR .45-70 CARBINE, #141XXX, MADE 1881.

Description:
CLASSIC INDIAN WARS SPRINGFIELD 1879 TRAPDOOR .45-70 CARBINE, #141XXX, MADE 1881. This is a nice example with correct compartment in the butt stock for cleaning rods and a correct "C" stamping on the rear sight to designate it is a carbine sight, not a rifle sight (which is marked "R"). Interestingly, according to the Springfield Research serial number books,  this serial number falls toward the middle of a number of carbines that were surveyed as being in the hands of the 7th Cavalry in 1888. Of course, this was Custer's regiment after his demise at the Little Bighorn in 1876. However, it was the 7th who ended the Indian Wars with their massacre at Wounded Knee, South Dakota on December 29, 1890. I'm certainly not saying this one was part of that historical event, but the speculation is always there and interesting. This one shows fine wood that is very dense walnut. There is a very faint Circle P proof behind the lower tang and if there is a dated cartouche in the wrist, I can't make it out. Being dense walnut, cartouches were often not as deeply placed as on other less dense walnut. It is possible the cartouche was light and wore off. The rear sight still has the "slotless" screws and the front barrel band is the earlier style with stacking swivel. The front sight has the detachable hood, barrel is marked with the usual inspection stamps ahead of the receiver, breech block markings are there, but worn and the lock plate has the usual markings and eagle motif. Metal surfaces have aged to a dark patina and there is some pitting on the lock plate and hammer with some scattered light pitting in a few small areas on the barrel-  minor. Tight action and surprisingly bright excellent bore. Very interesting is that I just saw what looked like a tiny dull spot on the bottom of the forearm about the size of a small nail head. I scratched it with my fingernail and it was soft and turned shiny! It is a really small particle of pure lead that might have come from a bullet that fragmented with a piece imbedding itstlf in this carbine's stock! I can't come up with any other explanation. you can see it in the last photo. Really small and you have to look for it to find it. A fine early Indian Wars Springfield cavalry carbine.

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .45-70 Government
Manufacturer: SPRINGFIELD
Model: 1879 SRC
Serial Number: 141XXX
Condition: VG+
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT