1873 Carbine

[jt2778]

Dick: I confess to not being up to date on info about 1873 carbines. Do you have any informative suggestions about this lock and trigger? I'm not going to sell or get rid of this carbine, just interested in building as much of it's story as I can. Thanks again for your expertise. JT

[Dick Hosmer]

It would be impossible to tell when the parts were replaced, or by whom. The lock dates from 1880, and the trigger from 1883. The lock would be the most believable "official" repair, though both are tarnished by the fact that all such guns were supposed to have been turned in in 1879, therefore, they should not have been in the army's hands to be repaired or upgraded. Obviously, not all arms were turned in, which leaves the water muddy. Does the stock have dings from the swivel? Is the matchup of the witness mark absolutely PERFECT? Are there proofmarks (V/P/eagle) on the barrel?

[StockDoc]

I have sorta lost all of my references on the Cal .45 Carbines and Rifles after selling my collection nearly 20 years ago. But, three things I learned back then was, verify, verify, verify.

For example, Mr Hosmer's reference to the Ft Keogh carbine. As I remember, Ft Keogh was an Infantry post. That does not mean that there were no carbines in the armory or that a Cavalry troop was not stationed there in 1878, but it casts a big shadow of doubt on it being a 7th Cavalry carbine. But, never say never and always avoid the word always.

Ray

I believe it was a Cavalry post, used for patrols to prevent Souix from escaping into Canada Wiki list it in the first years as being Cavalry, till 1888 then 22nd infantry till 1896. Hope that Carbine can be attached to the Little Big Horn.

How about it being a Carbine of an Indian Scout?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Keogh

http://1-22infantry.org/history3/keogh.htm

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=6395

[wstrayer]

Like so many here none of my Trapdoors have been listed. Same for my Sharps Carbine. The best I ever did was that my Sharps is in the middle of a group issued to 10th Ill Vol Cav in 1863.
Given that these guns were just pulled from crates and distributed, odds are you cant make any inferences on original unit of issue.

[jt2778]

LBH Carbine in Question

It would be impossible to tell when the parts were replaced, or by whom. The lock dates from 1880, and the trigger from 1883. The lock would be the most believable "official" repair, though both are tarnished by the fact that all such guns were supposed to have been turned in in 1879, therefore, they should not have been in the army's hands to be repaired or upgraded. Obviously, not all arms were turned in, which leaves the water muddy. Does the stock have dings from the swivel? Is the matchup of the witness mark absolutely PERFECT? Are there proofmarks (V/P/eagle) on the barrel?

Finally got back to the 73 Carbine: I,m going over it with mag. glass, there is VP Eagle on the barrel. The witness mark seems to be ok. There are some dings at rear of the ring loop. Minor only. There is a small A at the front of the trigger guard,also a circle with some kind of emblem inside at the rear end of the trigger guard, (in the wood.) Dick if you look at this, is there any significance to any of this?

[Dick Hosmer]

Bad news - there should not be any barrel proofs below about 40,000. So it appears that has been replaced as well. Sorry - it will likely remain a mystery.

[jt2778]

Well! So be it. I didn't pay much for it and its still a solid gun. What does this do to the value? I take it its not a $4000 gun. Ha! jt2778@bellsouth.net I have another one I'd like to run by you at some point. Its a long gun, model 86, rescued from the scrap pile years ago. Anyway thanks again.

[Dick Hosmer]

Well, it is still, apparently, a real trapdoor carbine, with a provocatively numbered receiver, and, as such, could bring between $1500 and $2000, perhaps - but - the big money is, alas, out the window.