US Model 1879 "Star" Marked Trapdoor Carbine

Indian Wars

.45-70 caliber. 22" barrel with single barrel band without stacking swivel. SN: 187567*. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth walnut stock. Single shot breechloading cavalry carbine with "C" marked 1879 pattern rear sight, front sight base missing the pinned blade, 3-click tumbler, smooth trigger, saddle bar and ring and trapdoor in butt for tools and cleaning rods. Standard production lock markings, early production high arch breech block with early style markings including the {Eagle Head} and {Crossed Arrows}. No visible cartouche or "Circle-P" firing proof in wood. Barrel with standard V/P/{Eagle Head} marks and an additional "P" mark. These "star" marked carbines were assembled at Springfield for the use of state militias (National Guard) circa 1881-1882, using available parts on hand, including a combination of newly made and salvaged parts from earlier guns that had been turned in, thus they do not always conform exactly to standard production models in terms of features or markings. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Good. Bore dark, dirty and moderately oxidized with decent rifling. Metal with strong traces of dulled and thinned blue on the barrel and some brighter blue on the breech block. Markings in metal remain clear. Mechanically functional action. Wood with moderate wear, some added finish, and numerous bumps, dings and mars. Some minor chipped loss is present around the tang area.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

We are open for pick-up Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm.

Please note that our offices will be closed for the holidays beginning December 20, 2025, and will reopen on January 5, 2026. If you need assistance or would like to schedule a pickup before this time, please do not hesitate to reach out.

For questions about shipping or packing, please contact [email protected] or see our Shipping/Packing page.

Arms, Armor and Militaria Online

US Model 1879 "Star" Marked Trapdoor Carbine

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup