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LOT 1084
Historic Documented 7th Cavalry
Troop C Battle of the Little Bighorn
Era U.S. Springfield Model 1873
Trapdoor Saddle Ring Carbine
Recovered from Captain Henry Jackson
of the 7th Cavalry in 1877 - Serial no. 12221,
45-70 Government cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. This historic trapdoor
carbine was manufactured in 1875 and is one of the few carbines
documented as issued to Troop C of the U.S. 7th Cavalry. It was turned
in as unserviceable in 1877 due to a broken stock and was sent to
Springfield Armory for repair. It has the blade front sight on the raised
block, a single “U” marked barrel band, notch and ladder rear sight
graduated 1-5 on the right side of the base and 6-12 on the ladder,
“MODEL/1873/eagle head/crossed arrows/US” marked on top of the high
arch breechblock, serial number “12221” on top at the breech, the eagle
and shield motif and “US/SPRINGFIELD/1873” marked on the two-click
lock, a saddle ring and bar mounted to the left, an oval “ESA” cartouche
on the left above the trigger, a circled “P” behind the trigger guard tang,
“7” marked at the heel, and “US” marked carbine buttplate. Includes a
canvas and leather case.
The included Springfield Research Service letter confirms it was issued
to Troop C of the 7th Cavalry during the Indian Wars. It further notes
that “Carbine no. 12221 was one of 9 unserviceable Springfield cal. .45
carbines received from Capt. Henry Jackson, 7th Cav., and collected by
the Chief Ordnance Officer, Dept. of Dakota, during the 2nd quarter of
1877. These carbines were subjected to a Board of Survey that convened
at Ft. Totten, Dakota Territory, on March 20, 1877. This Board found that
these carbines had broken stocks. Although not specifically stated in the
report of the Board, it is very likely that these carbines were rendered
unserviceable at the Battle of Little Big Horn, Montana Territory, on June
25 & 26, 1876, as were other weapons surveyed at about the same time.
All of these unserviceable arms were sent to Springfield Armory, where
they were examined with the object of determining whether any changes
were needed.” The carbine is identified by serial number in published lists
of 7th U.S. Cavalry Carbines returned after the Battle of the Little Bighorn
and is identified in records as shipped to Springfield on 4/8/1877. See
for example “Springfield Research Service Serial Numbers of U.S. Martial
Arms Volume 2.” Copies of additional period documents relating to the
damaged Springfields are also included.
Captain Henry Jackson who turned this carbine in as unserviceable was
on detached service in Washington, D.C., at the time of the Battle of the
Little Bighorn and commanded Troop C for over 14 years following Little
Bighorn, including at Wounded Knee. At the Little Bighorn, Troop C of
the 7th Cavalry was officially led by Capt. Thomas W. Custer, a younger
brother of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, and was part of Custer’s
Battalion during the battle. Since Capt. Custer served as his brother’s
aid-de-camp, the command during the actual fight fell to Lt. Henry
Harrington. Per the National Park Service, Troop C, I, and L were sent
down Medicine Trail Coulee towards the village before they came under
heavy fire.
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