Also accompanying is a reproduced article from Man at Arms magazine regarding guns at the Little Big Horn and the weapons of Custer’s Last Stand. Doerner apparently stated that an Indian or a settler or farmer could have applied the rawhide wrap. Since this carbine is in orig configuration it is readily apparent that it was lost before 1881. Colton had stated that all of the 1873 carbines were “turned in and the receivers were changed out between 18”. Doerner, Chief Historian at the Little Big Horn Battlefield and a Major Tom Vanderbeck, which states that this carbine was manufactured in February 1875, which information was provided by John Colton at the Springfield Armory Museum. Accompanying this lot is a printed email correspondence between John A. Horn and it is believed that this was his carbine. Research of troopers at the Custer fight disclosed that Company I, who died with Custer, had a Private by the name of Marion E. The high arch breechblock has the usual 1873 markings as does the lockplate. The buttstock has the hand incise carved initials “MH” on the left side. The sling bar was apparently cut from the forward base and the rear base is missing. The forestock is greatly worn with a concave appearance from saddlebow wear. The rawhide shows substantial wear and dark staining from hand oil. The most prominent feature is the shattered wrist that has been laced with a clever rawhide wrapping over small sticks to help support the break. The butt is properly not drilled for the trapdoor tool recesses. It is mounted in a standard 1-pc carbine stock with correct bbl band, trigger guard & buttplate. This is a standard issue 1873 carbine with 22″ rnd bbl, homemade copper front sight blade and ladder rear sight missing the slide. Companies “D” & “K” were with Benteen and Reno while Company “I” died with Custer in 1876. Companies “D”, “I” and “K” of Custer’s 7th Cavalry were the last to receive their carbines. According to existing records this carbine was manufactured in February 1875, and subsequently issued. RARE & HISTORIC CUSTER RANGE SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR CARBINE.

1873 springfield trapdoor rear sight