Rifle found

[JBCawsey]

Can anyone help me with some info? Years ago I was in Wood Mountain Saskatchewan on a petrified wood hunt with my father-in-law. Wood Mountain was where Sitting Bull and his people came after the Little Bighorn. Long story short, I saw a piece of shale leaned against a cutbank and tipped it over, found a Model 1873 Springfield carbine behind it. I have read that none of the rifles have turned up yet from the 7th Cavalry. Question is: does anyone have any idea where I could find a list of the serial numbers of the weapons that were at the Battle of the Little Bighorn?
Any help or information would be appreciated as I have no idea where to start. I have sent letters to the war department and got no response, Dixie Arms helped me trace this rifle as far as Colombus Ohio, but that is as far as I have got.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Citiboy289]

I hope this is of assistance , US Troops of the 7th Cav at the time of the battle were using 1873 springfiled TRAPDOOR carbines ( not the long rifle ) 45/70 , which were single shots , The native americans had repeating rifles , that did not require a reload after each shot ----- Since the 7th was a mounted unit they were issued a shorter carbine , no a full length rifle. No to verify at some level Holding the rifle with the barrel pointed away form you , Look on the left side of the receiver A MOUNTED CARBINE will have a place were a ring was placed , since mounted troops wore then with a strap ,,,,,,, across their chest ,,, If there isnt a ring or some parts left , It isnt a mounted piece ------------ Second GOOGLE --- US Military Dates of manfacture That is a website that allows you to enter the seriial number You want to hit the link springfield trapdoor then put in your serial number that will give you an estimated date within a year --- Third--- the auction site " gunbroker " do a search for Springfield trapdoor saddle ring carbine That will show several ones at auction so you can get an idea of whatthey looked like -------------- LASTLY --- do a google for " custer era trapdoor carbine " there is an collector term for POSSIBLE serial numbers that could have been assigned to the 7th ---- Hope that helps , either way they are interesting pieces Here is the link for the manufacture dates http://oldguns.net/sn_php/milmods.htm

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[BosnMate]

I doubt the serial number from your rifle would be listed, but here's a list of serial numbers of some of the weapons turned in or recaptured from Indians after the battle.

RM Vivas & Son - Reference Library.html

A little more info that may help.

The "Custer Range" Explained | Follow the Stories | Antiques Roadshow | PBS

This is good information, but you also might go to this page: The U.S. Springfield Trapdoor Rifle Information Center He will be very interested to talk to you, and probably be able to help you more than anyone else. Is the gun a rifle or carbine. You say "rifle found," then you say "73 carbine." To be a Custer gun. it has to be a carbine. Is there any indication of Indian ownership. Repairs using buckskin? Brass tacks in the stock? Anything that makes you think Native American use? The location where you found the gun I would say you have a really desirable and valuable item from the Custer battlefield. But also remember some Nez Perce joined Sitting Bull in 1877, and they were armed with the same gun, having captured a bunch in several battles, along with mules loaded with ammo. Good luck, I'm eating my heart out.

 

[BosnMate]

Another thought, is there any way you can post a photo of the gun. The early carbines had a heavier stock, and look different that the later ones. Man, you got something good, I'll be dreaming about this.

 

[l.cutler]

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/ This is definitely THE place to go for trapdoor information, these guys literally wrote the book on them, several books actually.