Manufactured from 1873 to 1877. This carbine falls into the Custer Era Trapdoors with the serial number below 43,700. Blade front and ski slope rear sight graduated to 1,500 yards and marked with a "C" on the blade. High arch breechblock marked "MODEL / 1873/ eagle / crossed arrows / U.S.". Lock plate is marked with the eagle and "U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873". The left rear of the barrel is marked with the "V / P / eagle head" inspection marks. Blue finish with an oil quenched casehardened breechblock, saddle ring and bar mounted on the left side of the stock and mounted with a one-piece straight grip stock with buttstock compartment with three piece cleaning rod and "US" marked tang. The stock is absent of any inspection cartouches.

Good. The metal surfaces have a smooth mottled brown patina with strong original blue finish in the protected areas of the trigger guard. The breechblock shows much of the original dark casehardening mixed with smooth silver gray patina. The stock has been varnished some time ago and remains good with a few shallow gouges on the bottom of the forearm and on the buttstock, and scattered minor dents and scratches. The markings are clear. The action is excellent.