During the post Civil War period the U.S. Government experimented heavily with developing metallic cartridge rifles. One of the most cost effective methods for the Government was by taking left over muzzle loaders and converting them into single shot metallic breech loaders. The primary conversion method was using the Allin conversion on 1863 rifles during the 1868 to 1870 time period. Several variations were developed, all with very low production numbers, using the 50-70 centerfire cartridge. This series of rifles and carbines eventually evolved into the successful Model 1873 Rifle and Carbines Series. In 1870 the last variations of rifle and carbines were produced, this carbine being one of them. Only 341 of these carbines were manufactured, and the fact that the U.S. Government was entering the Indian War period makes it amazing that any survived at all. The characteristics of this model are that there is no serial number and the high arch breechblock is marked "1870/eagle head/crossed arrows/US". The Civil War type lock plate is dated "1863" at the rear and the eagle/shield motif with "U.S./SPRINGFIElD" is ahead of the hammer. It has a folding ladder rear sight graduated to 900 yards, the correct two-click tumbler and two piece trigger guard. The stock has a saddle ring bar with ring mounted on the left flat, a weak cartouche on the left flat and a "US" marked buttplate.

Extremely fine. The action retains 70% original correct dark oil quenched casecolors finish and the trigger guard and buttplate retain 85% bright original blue with the balance a brown patina. The lock and hammer retain 75% original case colors. The stock is excellent with raised feathered grain of the wood and a barely noticable hairline crack near the rear of the lock. An exceptional example of an extremely rare and highly desirable U.S. carbine of which only 341 were produced.