I think it was kind of neat to find it. Sitting Bull is buried about a mile from my house and I live 100 miles from Ft. Lincoln so at least it's back in it's rightfull territory.
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I think it was kind of neat to find it. Sitting Bull is buried about a mile from my house and I live 100 miles from Ft. Lincoln so at least it's back in it's rightfull territory.
Great find and with correct type stock. Is the stock cartouche still visible? I have #35616, Ray
Nope, it's worn away. Even my great imagination couldn't make it appear at all.
I finally remembered to check the rear sight out a little closer and it is unmarked. I also figured out the hammer is the right one and the thicker breech block face didn't happen until after #30,000 so the breach block is correct. There is nothing on this carbine that isn't correct although like I said I'm sure the breech block is not original. I very happy with this one.
The hammer is earlier via the course cut cross hatching. Mine is the same. Should be finer cut. Maybe arsenal using up old stock in production...
I think the hammers we have are correct. The M66, M68, M68, and M70 all had a stamped pattern on the tip and the Type I course, almost hand filed looking hammer came on the M73 and then the stamped pattern on the Type II and Type III, correct? I think the hammers were filed or cut by hand and that's why the diamond spacing and size varies some. I've seen a couple of early M73 rifles(60,000 t0 70,000)and they had the Type II hammer. I thought the course hammer was because the cavalry wore gloves and the hammer would grip the leather better. That's just my .02.
Nice find... enjoy her!!
I have been checking and I think the saddle ring bar is the newer thicker one.
That carbine was logged (without comment or provenance) in Al Frasca's "Trapdoor Newsletter" from a few years ago - which means it was part of an answer to a survey he sent out regarding letters OTHER than V & P on TD barrels. It also is listed in my book "More .45-70s . . .". While all parts (with the the exception of the sling ring and bar) appear to be period correct, it may be a reassembly, since it shows NO crud in the nooks and crannies. That said, for $1850, you STOLE it!! Great find - enjoy.
Thanks Richard, I appreciate your knowledge. Glad your feeling better. :thup: Oh, the front sight blade is from a rifle and I just ordered your book from Amazon.