Ok Does anyone know anything about the 1873 Springfield rifles? I would like to know ifi can find out if the serial number 433xx is old enough to have possibly been at the Little Big Horn battle? The rifle I have been told is a 44-40 but I think they were only made in 45_70. Also from what I have read the standard load for the calvery was 55gr.black powder and 405gr.bullet. With the rear sight laying flat the rifle was sighted for 250 yards which would be one hell of a arch for the45_70 and would be high at100yrds bigtime. I have found a set of sights but don't understand how the barrel went from 45_70 to 44_40......I think the owner is wrong and figure the only way to tell is a chamber cast.He said he could tell because he measured the bore...... The lock has 1878 stamped on it is this correct or did some guns made in 1873 get stamped 1878? The little bighorn battle was June 25,1876-June26,1876 The reason I am wondering I have read that any Springfield carbine with serial number 43700 and earlier are"custer guns" time frame and could have been at the Little big Horn battle and picked up by the victorious native Americans because nothing was left laying on the ground after the battle and not many documented guns out of the 300?carbines that were issued to the 7th calvery regiment.
Frank Glaser,Alaska Wolfman:"with a lung shot on hoofed game the .220 Swift killed quicker than any other gun I ever owned."That included caribou,moose,wolf,and sheep.
