US M1873 .45-70 Saddle Ring Cavalry Carbine #1167 with Provenance to the 3rd U.S. Cavalry....

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Extremely rare and historically important.

US M1873 .45-70 Saddle Ring Cavalry Carbine #1167 with Provenance to the 3rd U.S. Cavalry. One of the lowest serial numbers known to exist, this gun was turned in to the Cheyenne Ordnance Dept, Wyoming, July 12, 1879 by Maj. A. W. Evans, 3rd U.S. Cavalry. This information is contained in a report by Lt. W. B. Weir of the Ordnance Dept. sent to the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory, describing damage done to forty-six Springfield carbines and eleven Springfield rifles that had been shipped to the armory for repair or salvage. The document contains details of the damage on each of the weapons and #1167 is listed as having a "swollen" barrel "between front and rear sights", doubtless the result of the gun being fired with an obstruction in the barrel. It is interesting to note that Weir was killed in action against Ute Indians three months after filing this report.

Major Andrew Wallace Evans graduated from West Point in 1852 and served in the west against hostile Indians in the years leading up to the Civil War. After the outbreak of war he remained in the west until 1863 when he joined the Army of the Potomac as Colonel of the 1st Maryland Cavalry (Evans had been appointed to West Point from Maryland) and was breveted for action at Valverde, N. M. in 1862 and Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Post-bellum, as a Major of the 3rd U.S. Cavalry, he served in Texas until 1868. He then served in Arizona until 1876 when he was transferred to the Department of the Platte commanding a battalion of cavalry on the Big Horn and the Yellowstone Expeditions, taking part in Indian fights on the Tongue River, Montana June 9, the Rosebud, June 17 and at Slim Buttes, Montana September 9, all during the period that this carbine was in service.

The gun reflects the heavy and hard use generally associated with the early carbines. Metal with a nice dark patina, with much blue visible on the lock. Generally smooth with just some light pitting on the top of the receiver and some very light pitting scattered about the barrel. The high arch breech door bears the markings "Model 1873/ (eaglehead with crossed arrows)/ US" and marked with a letter Z on the underside of the cam housing. Lock with two click tumbler, marked with eagle and "U.S./ Springfield/ 1873". The barrel, which it is reasonable to assume was replaced at Springfield prior to reissue, exhibits the correct original rear sight and has an excellent bore. Correct short comb stock, and buttplate without provisions for cleaning rod. The wood on the gun has a nice dark untouched patina and shows very heavy use. The ESA cartouche, however, is still visible. Many dents, including several large one on the forestock, commensurate with mounted use, and in many areas the wood is actually worn down to lower levels of the grain. The wear is all clearly the result of the very heavy honest use these carbines were subjected to. The gun is correct and original in every respect and completely untouched. A most rare and very important US military carbine with impeccable provenance and integrity.