This is a solid, tight Springfield Trapdoor Model 1873 carbine with serial number 189283*, with the star at the end of the serial to show this is one of those rebuilt during the Indian Wars at the Springfield Armory after the great call-in of 1879. In 1879, The Army ordered all the frontier units and forts to return to the Springfield Armory all trapdoors lower than serial 50,000. These included the pre-Custer trapdoors that had survived. The useable parts from these guns were used in 1881 and 1882 to build a series of trapdoors with a “star” (looking like a five-petal flower) at the end of the serial number on the receiver. This is one of those historic starred receiver carbines.

The serial number of 189283* is clear on the receiver and all the barrel markings are clear. All of these star marked carbines used new receivers and the new low arch breechblocks, but some retained earlier original parts. This still retains the first model Lockplate with 1873 date, and the hard to find first model hammer with the coarse cross-checkering. The wood is solid, without the breaks or chips or cracks so often seen on these carbines. I do not see any cartouches on this stock.

This carbine was updated for use in the Spanish American War and so this one has the very accurate, adjustable rear sight, Model 1884, as well as the companion Model 1890 carbine rear protector barrel band developed to protect these Model 1884 rear sights from catching on the saddle scabbard and changing the adjustment. This is a Carbine sight, not a rifle sight, and is so marked.

The barrel bore has that usual block powder roughness, but the rifling is still sharp. The mechanics are perfect. This is an attractive example of one of the iconic weapons of the old west, used from the early Indian Wars through the Spanish America War.

I will be offering this locally, so consider using the Buy it Now feature.