Manufactured during the height of the Indian War and the Custer Massacre, this is a very desirable example of an original U.S. Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle. This particular rifle is marked "7/E/30" (backwards 3) on the left stock wrist indicating usage by Company E of the 7th U.S. Infantry, which is the unit that was in on the rescue of Reno’s men at Little Bighorn and buried Custers Regiment at Little Big Horn after the massacre. The breechblock is marked "MODEL/1873/eagle head/crossed arrows/US" and the lock is marked with the eagle/shield motif followed by "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873" ahead of the hammer. The left rear of the barrel is correctly absent of any proof marks. (This practice started on the Model 1873 at approximately serial number 50,000). The barrel is fitted with a blade front sight on a square base and folding ladder rear sight graduated to 11 and mounted with slotless screws. High arch casehardened breechblock, two barrel bands with a sling swivel on the front band and front of the two piece trigger guard, two click tumbler and iron cleaning rod with a serrated slotted head and swollen shaft. Mounted with a smooth full length walnut stock with an iron forend cap. "Oval ESA" cartouche on the left wrist, as well as the aforementioned "7/E/30" stamp, script circled "P" behind the lower tang and carbine style buttplate with "US" marked tang.

Very fine overall. The barrel retains 70% original thinning blue finish with a smooth brown and plum patina on the balance. The breechblock has a smooth mottled blue and gray. The hammer and lock retain 70% original blue finish with a smooth bluish gray on the balance. The trigger guard and lower tang have a mix of 60% original blue finish and smooth gray patina. The stock is fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches. The markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.