45/70 1873 Springfield Cavalry Carbine

[joseyclosey]

I got to have a bit of play with this rifle yesterday, I have seen and shot the long infantry rifle before but this is the first carbine I have seen and handled.

I don't know a lot about them but I'm told this is a early model with the three position hammer.

It was fun,

Joe

[M14man]

Any idea of the serial number range?

[joseyclosey]

I'll check next time at the range as it belongs to one of our club members.

Joe

[M14man]

That is the type of rifle carried at the "Battle of the Little Big Horn". You know, Custer's last stand.
Anyway there is a premium value on rifles with-in a certain serial number range.

[joseyclosey]

The owner had looked into whether it may have been a Custer rifle and apparently it is not, that would have been too good to be true I guess.

I didn't even realise the 7th Cavalry had been issued with 45/70s at that period in time but there again my knowledge of American history is a bit sketchy at the best of times.

Joe

[M14man]

That cartridge throws a chunk of lead. Made to bring horse or rider down.
Worked good on bear too.

[joseyclosey]

Been shooting this rifle again today, the serial no. is 42284 making it 1875 manufactured according to the owner. He is now waiting for more info on it from a contact he has made in the US.

Joe

[M14man]

According what I have read, a serial below 50,000 is considered to be in that era.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/fts/bi ... 02F01.html
Have him check out the movie also on the right side of the page.

I didn't want to appear boastful, but I have one in the Custer era myself. 19XXX range
My stock is a later 1879 replacement, since the long wrist broke in combat.
He still has the early long wrist stock which is kind of rare, since all in use usually received replacements.
That is a BIG plus.

[M14man]

If my recall is correct, the early stocks did not have a trapdoor in the butt plate, nor a hole in the wood. The 'Army' realized the importance of having a need for rod and a shell extractor, since extraction problems appeared at the battle of the Little Bighorn. (Also the wrist breaking) The new type stocks had a beefier shorter wrist and had a trapdoor for a 3 piece rod, and a broken shell extractor. The old cases were more copper and the extractor had a tendancy to rip through when hot or dirty. Later they increased the brass content and the rim became stronger and relieved that issue from occuring.
A couple more things about your friends rifle. Appears 100% original. The early rifles had a sling loop on the front band, AND the rear sight was held to the receiver by rivits. Your friends rifle had both. His stock alone doubles the value.
My band has no loop. Have no idea why they were removed, probably caught on things, and the rivits were replaced later with screws, to make sight repair an easy thing.
Later view of buttplate.
Thus your friends rifle would be twice the value of mine, although my serial is lower, and appears in better condition. His stock with the original parts, and rivits makes the value of his twice mine, all things being considered.

[joseyclosey]

You have a fine example yourself M14 man. Many thanks for the extra info and link, I will pass this on to the owner and I am sure he will be interested in seeing your rifle too.

Joe