Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness

.45-70, 22" barrel, S/N 17994 (mfg. ca1874). Heavily oxidized relic condition metal with relic condition wood. Many of the parts are missing and essentially no markings are visible. Serial number is still present on rear of receiver and the {Crossed Arrows} are still present on the high arch breech block, which is secured to the receiver with an old nail. Other salient features are the correct single barrel band without stacking swivel, sling bar mounts with sling bar cut away, two click tumbler, two-piece triggergaurd with smooth trigger, solid buttplate, 1873 pattern rear sight, one-piece front sight base and blade and no proofs on the barrel. The stock appears to be as shortened early production short comb/long wrist rifle stock with an apparent ramrod channel present in the forend tip, suggesting that metal for this gun was moved to this stock during the period of use, before the gun was discarded due to an apparent broken wrist. The condition of the metal suggests long term exposure to the elements with the wood condition suggesting the gun was quite wet for at least some period of time, possibly in a ditch or wadi that filled with water from time to time. The overall appearance of the gun is that of an absolutely authentic early production Model 1873 Carbine that was restocked in a shortened Model 1873 rifle stock during the period of use. The serial number is very close to a number of 7th Cavalry issued carbines as well as a number of carbines turned in or captured from the Native Americans. A review of the relatively incomplete Springfield Research Service serial number records reveal that M1873 Carbine #17940 was "captured from Indians" on October 1, 1879, as were carbines #17483, #18137, 18141 and 18202, all presumed to have been 7th Cavalry guns. Carbines #17497, #17781 and #18006 were issued to the 7th Cavalry and #17895, #18232 and #18714 are in the Springfield Armory Museum and believed to have been Custer guns. #17914 was a Model 1873 Carbine surrendered by Crow King's band of Indians on 24 February 1881 as were carbines #17675 and #18489. However, #17986 is listed as an 1873 Rifle in the Smithsonian's collection and #17814 is also a rifle. Based upon serial number is seems almost certain that this receiver was from an 1873 carbine and barrel appears to be a correct carbine barrel measuring .725" in diameter at the muzzle, with correct carbine furniture that was at some point very long ago placed in a shortened rifle stock, almost certainly done by an armorer at a western post in the field. This is a great looking Custer range relic that will look wonderful in your Indian Wars display.