.50-70. 20.875" barrel length. SN: 641. Bright finish, walnut stock. "1863" dated Springfield lock, breech block dated "1869" over "{Eagle Head}/{Crossed Arrows}/US". Cut down during the period of use with nominally 11" of barrel removed, even more of the forend cut off, the upper band removed, the original front sight removed with a replacement added front sight. Retains rear sight base with added aperture leaf, rather than the original 1868 ladder, swivel swivel stud removed from triggerguard, buttplate removed. Gun heavily worn showing hard use with extreme wood wear, heavy saddle wear and the stock worn through to the point that the ramrod spoon is protruding from the forend. Some old tack holes, with the tacks missing, are present in the stock. The attached tag from Mr. Ness' collection reads: "This 50 cal. Springfield belonged to Chief Joseph. Collected by Col. Nelson Miles, Oct. 5, 1877 Bear Paw 40 miles from Canadian Border, Montana." No additional documentation is provided, although the tag notes that the gun was purchased on 2/24/2000.