Gentlemen,
After many years of looking, studying and pricing, I have found the preeminent addition to my Springfield Trapdoor collection. This piece will probably be the end to a long love of collecting this type. It will in essence be all but impossible to top.
Last year I stumbled into a once in a lifetime opportunity yo research and purchase this 1873 First Model Cavalry Carbine. It is in the serial number range of the Carbines issued the US Seventh Cavalry as mentioned in the documents of Lt Col. George A Custer from Rock Island Arsenal in 1875.
The carbine as shown below is in NRA Antique Condition of Very Fine to Extra Fine. Alot of finish has turned grey patina with age. It is totally original in every part and has never been "arsenal" retouched. All internal parts are as issued. Aside from several small handling marks, the stock is untouched including the inspectors cartouche to the rear of the saddle ring bar. The bore is incredible with only two small pits visible only with an endoscope. AND it shoots like the day it was born. Brought a historic tear to my eye.
It was probably issued to a trooper with Marcus Reno's detachment and returned on June 27th 1876. Serial # 19300.
Un-altered First model carbines are rare to begin with as attrition and retrofit was the order of the day. Many did not survive the years of service and were scrapped. Original Trapdoor Carbines are quite sought after and many fakes do exist. The population compares to full rifles is small, only around 70,000 total production from 1873 through 1893.
Trapdoor rifles are alot of fun to shoot and are probably among the easiest to get a nice specimen of a weapon used during the late 1800's. I have a good number of them in my collection, some I will be sharing with you in the future. John
After many years of looking, studying and pricing, I have found the preeminent addition to my Springfield Trapdoor collection. This piece will probably be the end to a long love of collecting this type. It will in essence be all but impossible to top.
Last year I stumbled into a once in a lifetime opportunity yo research and purchase this 1873 First Model Cavalry Carbine. It is in the serial number range of the Carbines issued the US Seventh Cavalry as mentioned in the documents of Lt Col. George A Custer from Rock Island Arsenal in 1875.
The carbine as shown below is in NRA Antique Condition of Very Fine to Extra Fine. Alot of finish has turned grey patina with age. It is totally original in every part and has never been "arsenal" retouched. All internal parts are as issued. Aside from several small handling marks, the stock is untouched including the inspectors cartouche to the rear of the saddle ring bar. The bore is incredible with only two small pits visible only with an endoscope. AND it shoots like the day it was born. Brought a historic tear to my eye.
It was probably issued to a trooper with Marcus Reno's detachment and returned on June 27th 1876. Serial # 19300.
Un-altered First model carbines are rare to begin with as attrition and retrofit was the order of the day. Many did not survive the years of service and were scrapped. Original Trapdoor Carbines are quite sought after and many fakes do exist. The population compares to full rifles is small, only around 70,000 total production from 1873 through 1893.
Trapdoor rifles are alot of fun to shoot and are probably among the easiest to get a nice specimen of a weapon used during the late 1800's. I have a good number of them in my collection, some I will be sharing with you in the future. John
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