1873 carbine

[Lead Snowstorm]

Well, some of ya'll were kind enough to follow along my previous carbine thread - http://www.jouster2.com/forums/showthread.php?72030-The-quest-for-a-carbine-GB-auctions - so it's time for an update!

A carbine popped up on Guns International a few days ago: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/springfield-rifles/springfield-armory-model-1873-carbine-serial-number-20775-45-55.cfm?gun_id=101860327. I was away from my books, but it stayed up for sale long enough for me to get home and dig through my SRS books and Mr. Hosmer's "More .45-70 Springfields" - where, sure enough, this number was logged! So I took the plunge, and it arrived this very morning.

https://i.imgur.com/Rk3Kz87h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Dor3AT8h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pfmkcNgh.jpg

This old warhorse has surely seen some use and shows a bunch of wear. The region of the sling ring is worn and dented:

https://i.imgur.com/eW8jFTVh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LDHTayHh.jpg

No residual cartouche, of course - and no residual proof, although a sub-inspection type stamp is present:

https://i.imgur.com/W2TqEwSh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/htP68nIh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9jMwRCLh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cogGGtVh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yP7RDTRh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QOgWznh2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RHfQ7Puh.jpg

High arch block, two click tumbler, no stacking swivel on the barrel band.

https://i.imgur.com/5Yt3V4gh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZAfM9QLh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7M87Giph.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8vQGORFh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hMTcgN1h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YBmxcv2h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ycx1pfEh.jpg

Interestingly enough, although my 1870 carbine seems to have a replacement steel front sight blade, this one seems to have a replacement brass blade!

https://i.imgur.com/nNYOZeOh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iX2vuXlh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/K22rM5Jh.jpg

Very worn rifling, with pitting:

https://i.imgur.com/knFWPJFh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JGE0dRhh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6NY3X7Ch.jpg

Now, I think all I have left to do for this one is crack it through the wrist, wrap it with leather, hammer some tacks into it, and sell it as a LBH carbine for 5 figures!! :icon_tongue:

[JimF]

. . . . .
Now, I think all I have left to do for this one is crack it through the wrist, wrap it with leather, hammer some tacks into it, and sell it as a LBH carbine for 5 figures!! :icon_tongue:

I?m thinking if you want to get ?5 figures? for it, you may have to add a barrel band with a stacking swivel . . . .properly aged, of course.

[Lead Snowstorm]

I?m thinking if you want to get ?5 figures? for it, you may have to add a barrel band with a stacking swivel . . . .properly aged, of course.

Ha! Well, another step in the plan, then - adding the the swivel, AND adding the little wood dimples to accompany it!

[Allen]

Good to see the screw heads in such good shape. All those years gone by with people HAVING to tinker with things normally would have resulted in the screw heads being quite buggered up.

[kj47]

Nice original, speaks for itself. Nice find.

[Dick Hosmer]

I'd leave the band and related stock area strictly alone - the swivel band was optional, NOT service-wide. The brass sight blade is not original but I'd leave it. What I would do is carefully work some dark stain and oil into that ghastly bleached wood. If you got the whole thing as dark as the dark spots, "curb appeal" would be - IMHO - hugely improved. Early carbines will bring 5 figures on their own, to an eager buyer. Proven LBH guns are 6 figures! I have the name (noted in 1998) of another previous owner: "Waits". I do NOT know if that is the correct (as in Wait's , or Waite's collection) spelling, and my source is deceased.

[Lead Snowstorm]

I'd leave the band and related stock area strictly alone - the swivel band was optional, NOT service-wide. The brass sight blade is not original but I'd leave it. What I would do is carefully work some dark stain and oil into that ghastly bleached wood. If you got the whole thing as dark as the dark spots, "curb appeal" would be - IMHO - hugely improved. Early carbines will bring 5 figures on their own, to an eager buyer. Proven LBH guns are 6 figures! I have the name (noted in 1998) of another previous owner: "Waits". I do NOT know if that is the correct (as in Wait's , or Waite's collection) spelling, and my source is deceased.

Very interesting! Not to worry, I had checked the sources and satisfied myself that the barrel band was likely just fine sans swivel.

And the stock is definitely going to have a good oiling in its future - it looks very thirsty.

[Fred]

Wow! Congratulations Garrett.
Great photos as always too!

[D Miller]

I sold that carbine on 2/14/22

[D Miller]

You talk about working on the finish. Be advised it has been waxed with Renaissance

[Fred]

It looks to me that the Trigger Bow was removed, possibly for cleaning by someone, and put back on backwards.

[Lead Snowstorm]

You talk about working on the finish. Be advised it has been waxed with Renaissance

good to know, thanks!

[Carlsr]

I only have one carbine and the trigger bow is installed the same. But then again maybe not???
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