This trapdoor carbine was manufactured pre-1876. Other carbines in the same serial number range as this example were previously identified as shipped in 1874 plenty early enough to have been issued to Custer's men or other units prior to their final bloody battle. However, it is believed that most of the 7th Cavalry carbines were in the 33000-43700 range. Many trapdoor carbines were used extensively by the U.S. Cavalry throughout the Indian Wars and also fell into the hands of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and other Native Americans. All of the 7th Cavalry carbines are presumed to have been picked up by the Indians as none were found on the battlefield and many were used for over the next several decades in further battles as well as hunts. This example shows signs of heavy use and has a integral blade front sight, notch and folding ladder rear sight graduated 1-5 on the base and 6-12 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 saddle ring and bar (correctly not drilled out for a tool compartment), and "US" marked buttplate. "WM" is carved in the left side of the buttstock.

Fair with a totally untouched dark brown patina throughout, mild oxidation and pitting, some chips and notches in the stock which appears evenly worn in service, and mechanically fine two-click lock. If this 1873 Trapdoor Carbine could talk, what a story it could tell!