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SPRINGFIELD 1879 TRAPDOOR INDIAN POLICE CARBINE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,500.00 USD
SPRINGFIELD 1879 TRAPDOOR INDIAN POLICE CARBINE.
Cal. 45-70. S# 140261. Bbl. 22". Pinned blade front sight. Model 1879 rear sight. 1873 dated high arch breechblock. Flat style lock plate. Band fastened carbine stock w/ trapdoor carbine buttplate having saddle ring & bar on left side. A Wendell Grangaard, The Guns of History, Inc letter is included. Togia is the pictorial language of the Sioux. Wendell translates the Togia markings on this carbine as "the man who carries the sword". Born in 1847 into Red Cloud's Band of Sioux, he was given the name George Sword when he converted to Christianity. He fought at the Little Bighorn & was one of the original Indian Police on the Pine Ridge Reservation, 1879-1885. The letter further states that Sword would have been issued this carbine sometime before 1882. George Sword died of tuberculosis in 1910. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: triangular bayonet & metal scabbard. 2 sections of a 3 piece cleaning rod held in the stock compartment. A metal Indian Police tag from the US Department of Indian Affairs dated 1888. Binder containing Wendell's letter includes several photos of the rifle along w/ historical information & photographs about the Pine Ridge Indian Police. CONDITION: bbl. & lock plate retain 50% dull faded blue. Action has faded to gray. Stock shows heavy wear w/ dents & marks retaining Togia markings. Pitted bore retains largely intact rifling. (01-23411/DS). ANTIQUE. $1500-2500.