This trapdoor carbine was manufactured pre-1876 and is thus potentially one of the guns used by the 7th Cavalry at the Battle of Little Bighorn. It would have been one of the carbines manufactured around 1874 based on documentation seen with prior carbines. Many of these early carbines were used by the U.S. Cavalry on the Great Plains during the Indian Wars and some were captured and used by Indians against the U.S. Cavalry in later battles. After Custer's Last Stand, nearly all of the 7th Cavalry weapons were taken by the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho. Some of these guns saw hard use well into the 20th century. It has a pinned blade front sight, notch and folding ladder rear sight graduated 1-5 on the base and 6-11 on the ladder, high arch breechblock marked with "MODEL/1873/eagle head/cross arrows/US", eagle motif and "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873" marked lock plate, and smooth stock with faint "ESA" cartouche, saddle ring and bar, and "US" marked buttplate.

Good. The carbine displays a mix of gray and brown patina throughout and has some spots of minor oxidation and various minor marks. The stock has been repaired and refinished and has various dings and scrapes and some minor chipping around the lock. The lock functions fine and most of the markings are distinct. This is a great opportunity to get your hands on a highly sought after Springfield trapdoor in the Custer range!