Composite Springfield US Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine

Indian Wars

.45-70. 22" barrel. SN: 28099 (mfg. ca. 1874). Blued and color casehardened finish, steel mountings, walnut stock. Single shot breechloading cavalry carbine with no rear sight, Barleycorn front sight with pinned blade, single barrel band with stacking swivel and sling bar with ring. Lock marked with a {SPREAD-WINGED EAGLE} and in three lines U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873. Breechblock marked MODEL/1873/{EAGLE HEAD/CROSSED ARROWS}/US. Early high arch breech with early lock and breech block markings, three-click tumbler, two-piece triggerguard and smooth trigger. Barrel with C/V/P/{EAGLE HEAD} proof marks. Weak traces of a cartouches and Circle-P firing marks are present in the wood. Barrel drilled and tapped in the rear sight location, but no rear sight is present. The gun is composite with a very early, 1874 era breechblock and receiver with the early lock markings. However the barrel proofs indicate that it came from a later gun and the stock has the butt trap for cleaning rods and tools, not found on the Model 1873 which is the serial number range of the receiver. A check of the Springfield Research Serial Number books shows no 1873 carbines in this serial number range only rifles, so the receiver is likely from an 1873 Rifle. Butt trap includes a 3-piece cleaning rod and headless case extractor. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Fair to Good. Bore about good with decent rifling, moderate oxidation and some pitting. Metal with a mottled and oxidized brownish gray patina. Barrel may be a re-worked rifle barrel, rather than a carbine barrel. Markings in metal mostly legible. Mechanically functional action. Wood sanded with wear and scattered bumps, dings and mars.

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 armsarmor@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

timprince@freemansauction.com 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.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

cincinnati@hindmanauctions.com 312 280 1212

Arms, Armor and Militaria Online

Composite Springfield US Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup