Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original early U.S. Springfield Model 1873 .45-70 saddle ring carbine, serial number 37782, manufactured in approximately January 1875 during the Indian Wars period and before the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This substantially early configuration example retains the high arch breech block with early eagle and crossed arrows markings, 1873 dated lock, two notch tumbler, first pattern stepped carbine rear sight, saddle ring and bar, and other early features. It saw considerable service and was later restored, including installation of a later replacement stock and shortening of the barrel by approximately 3/4".

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Model 1873 Trapdoor carbine became one of the defining U.S. cavalry arms of the Indian Wars. The 7th Cavalry received Model 1873 carbines before the June 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, and carbines in the broad early serial range below approximately 43,700 are described by collectors as “Custer era” or “Custer range” arms. Serial number alone, however, does not establish issuance to the 7th Cavalry or participation in the battle, and no documentation accompanies this carbine tying serial number 37782 to that regiment.

The serial number:

37782

places production in approximately January 1875, based on surviving Springfield Arsenal production records. This was more than a year before the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

The early high arch breech block is marked:

MODEL
1873
(EAGLE)
(CROSSED ARROWS)
U.S.

This more elaborate early marking was later simplified, and the high arch configuration itself was subsequently changed. The breech block retains its firing pin and return spring, and the latch functions correctly in its present condition.

The lock plate is marked with an eagle and:

U.S.
SPRINGFIELD
1873

an early dated lock marking. The lock retains its early two notch tumbler and functions in its present condition. The tumbler holds and releases as expected during inspection. These observations describe only the current mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the carbine is safe to load or fire.

The barrel breech retains a single V proof mark rather than the fuller grouping of proof and inspection marks encountered on later examples.

The rear sight is the correct early Model 1873 stepped carbine pattern with five numbered steps, 1 through 5, corresponding to 100 through 500 yard settings. It remains functional. The carbine also retains the single barrel band with stacking swivel, another early feature later changed during the pattern’s service life.

The saddle ring bar remains mounted on the left side of the stock and retains its original ring.

The principal later replacement is the stock, which is an 1877 pattern short wrist stock. It includes an inlet for a cleaning rod beneath the butt plate, though the present butt plate is solid and covers the recess. The stock has been refinished and shows evidence of older repairs but remains solid overall. There is a crack extending from the rear lock screw toward the breech, an area commonly subjected to stress on Trapdoor stocks.

The barrel has also been shortened by approximately 3/4", and the front sight was relocated accordingly. This alteration is readily apparent and prevents the carbine from being described as completely original configuration despite the numerous correct early metal components.

The exterior metal has a very good appearance with evidence of earlier service, oxidation, peppering, and repeated cleaning beneath the present condition. The lock markings remain fully legible though somewhat softened by wear. The overall character is that of a heavily used early carbine subsequently cleaned and restored for preservation and display.

The bore is in good service used condition with rifling still visible. It shows substantial wear together with old fouling and oxidation in the grooves and remains mostly dark internally, consistent with considerable historical use.

The firing pin moves correctly and returns under spring pressure. The breech latch, extractor, and ejector are all present and operate during manual inspection, though the action was not tested with live or empty cartridge cases.

With its early 1875 serial number 37782, high arch MODEL 1873 eagle and crossed arrows breech block, dated 1873 lock, two notch tumbler, early stepped carbine sight, single barrel band, saddle ring and bar, and surviving early metal components, this is a compelling Indian Wars era Springfield Model 1873 carbine from the broad collector defined “Custer era” serial range. The later 1877 stock, approximately 3/4" shortened barrel, relocated front sight, restoration, stock crack and repairs, worn bore, and absence of documented 7th Cavalry provenance are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an Indian Wars, Springfield Trapdoor, U.S. cavalry carbine, Custer era, or advanced American martial firearms collection.

Custer Serial Range:
U.S. Ordinance Dept. records indicate the 7th Cav. received approximately 1,000 Model 1873 Trapdoor carbines in the serial number ranges of 17400-18400, and 21000-21600, and 32700-36400 and with some into the 42200 range. According to those records, carbines that fall within the 32700-36400 group were issued to Companies C, D, I, and K of the 7th Cav. Of the thousand carbines issued to the 7th Cav., 250 of them were in the 33,000-43,000 range, such as this example. The records of the area are all handwritten and not complete, resulting in numerous different estimated ranges.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1875
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1873 Trapdoor Carbine
Serial No.: 37782
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 21 1/4 Inches
Overall Length: 40 1/2 Inches
Action type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.