This four digit serial number U.S. Springfield Model 1873 carbine was originally built in 1873, early enough to have been used at the Battle of Little Bighorn. The early trapdoor carbines saw extensive use on the Great Plains and in the Southwest during the Indian War era. Custer's men were armed with Model 1873s when they were annihilated near the Little Bighorn River. After the battle, their carbines were gathered up by the victors and used in later battles with the U.S. cavalry. While they offered less rapid fire than the repeating arms of the era, their longer range capabilities and stronger cartridge were well suited for the battles of the era. It has a blade front sight, Model 1873 notch and folding ladder rear sight graduated 1-5 on the base and 6-12 on the ladder, "MODEL/[obliterated]/eagle head/crossed arrows/US" on top of the breechblock, the low serial number "5749" at the rear edge, a saddle ring and bar on the left side of the stock, "1873" below the standard Springfield markings on the lock, standard carbine "US" marked buttplate and trigger guard, and single barrel band with "U" on the right and a sling swivel.