Produced before 1876, as part of the serial range that may have been issued to the 7th Cavalry before the Battle of Little Bighorn. Blade front and ladder rear sights, with a three click tumbler, "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873" lock plate and a low arch breechblock marked "MODEL 1873/(eagle)/(arrows)/US". Smooth straight wrist stock, with the saddle ring bar on the left side and a smooth "US" buttplate.