I know… the Battle of Little Bighorn didn’t happen during the Civil War. It was in 1876, but many of the Union participants were seasoned Civil War veterans. And that’s where the General got his stars.
I see advertisements of auction sheets touting 1873 Little Bighorn era carbines and some even have 7th Calvary cartouche or barrel stamps… but what are the odds of finding a true 1876 campaign Springfield and what qualifies it as such?
Remember, there are more Custer Springfields on the internet and in private collections than were used on the actual battlefield, (hmmm... wonder how that works?). Out of nearly 55,000 carbines produced prior to the battle, you are looking for less than a possible 300 surviving guns.
According to National Archives Record Group 155, three shipments of carbines were issued to the 7th Cav in preparation for the campaign:
1st shipment spring of 1874 249 carbines issued thru Rock Island Arsenal
2nd shipment summer of 1874 502 carbines issued thru Rock Island Arsenal
3rd shipment spring of 1875 2 loads: 166 plus 83 issued thru Rock Island Arsenal
From an overall perspective, it appears that less than 1000 carbines were issued to the 7th prior to the Little Bighorn incident. Approximately 650 of these carbines were actually carried on the campaign. (Regimental strength was at about 650 men, plus scouts and teamsters, etc.)
The remaining carbines were in the armory at Fort Abraham Lincoln. Of the 650 carbines carried to the battle site, (I think companies A thru M), 449 are believed to be from the 1874 production and 156 from the 1875 production.
Bear in mind that of the 650 carbines carried by the 7th Cav, approximately 350 were lost. Included in that number are 79 carbines reported by the Reno-Benteen detachments that were intentionally destroyed by fire at the site before the column left the field. That leaves a total of perhaps 275 – 300 Springfields captured by the Indians or otherwise unaccounted for.
*An interesting side note… the 7th Cav losses were 15 officers, 247 enlisted men, 3 Indian scouts, and 5 civilians killed, and another 2 officers and 51 men wounded.
Considering all evidence, a true surviving Little Bighorn associated Springfield carbine would definitely show hard use and great wear, (by today’s standard, almost “junk” rated), BUT, wear patterns can easily be counterfeited.
Here is the true qualifier… they are from a select, serial number profile. Carbines in the 17400 – 18400 and 21000 – 21600 ranges are very likely 7th Cav guns. Some in the 32700 – 36400, 1875 productions are possible candidates, but remember that 1/3 of the 7th issue remained at Fort Abe Lincoln and are not campaign guns. Also, approximately 7,500 carbines were built and issued to the Calvary units assigned to the Indian Wars.
So if a carbine that you have in your collection isn’t in the 7th Calvary range, bear in mind that other regiments accompanying Custer in and out of Fort Abraham Lincoln carried Springfield carbines also, namely the 2nd and 3rd Cav. (We’ll talk about those and their identifiers at a later date).
Because only 1874 and 1875 production carbines were issued to the 7th prior to the Little Bighorn, serial numbers on all carbines used in battle were definitely below number 54812.
Happy Collecting… don’t listen to the attached stories, even though they are ever-so-intriguing. Take a deep breath and try to research the facts!
I see advertisements of auction sheets touting 1873 Little Bighorn era carbines and some even have 7th Calvary cartouche or barrel stamps… but what are the odds of finding a true 1876 campaign Springfield and what qualifies it as such?
Remember, there are more Custer Springfields on the internet and in private collections than were used on the actual battlefield, (hmmm... wonder how that works?). Out of nearly 55,000 carbines produced prior to the battle, you are looking for less than a possible 300 surviving guns.
According to National Archives Record Group 155, three shipments of carbines were issued to the 7th Cav in preparation for the campaign:
1st shipment spring of 1874 249 carbines issued thru Rock Island Arsenal
2nd shipment summer of 1874 502 carbines issued thru Rock Island Arsenal
3rd shipment spring of 1875 2 loads: 166 plus 83 issued thru Rock Island Arsenal
From an overall perspective, it appears that less than 1000 carbines were issued to the 7th prior to the Little Bighorn incident. Approximately 650 of these carbines were actually carried on the campaign. (Regimental strength was at about 650 men, plus scouts and teamsters, etc.)
The remaining carbines were in the armory at Fort Abraham Lincoln. Of the 650 carbines carried to the battle site, (I think companies A thru M), 449 are believed to be from the 1874 production and 156 from the 1875 production.
Bear in mind that of the 650 carbines carried by the 7th Cav, approximately 350 were lost. Included in that number are 79 carbines reported by the Reno-Benteen detachments that were intentionally destroyed by fire at the site before the column left the field. That leaves a total of perhaps 275 – 300 Springfields captured by the Indians or otherwise unaccounted for.
*An interesting side note… the 7th Cav losses were 15 officers, 247 enlisted men, 3 Indian scouts, and 5 civilians killed, and another 2 officers and 51 men wounded.
Considering all evidence, a true surviving Little Bighorn associated Springfield carbine would definitely show hard use and great wear, (by today’s standard, almost “junk” rated), BUT, wear patterns can easily be counterfeited.
Here is the true qualifier… they are from a select, serial number profile. Carbines in the 17400 – 18400 and 21000 – 21600 ranges are very likely 7th Cav guns. Some in the 32700 – 36400, 1875 productions are possible candidates, but remember that 1/3 of the 7th issue remained at Fort Abe Lincoln and are not campaign guns. Also, approximately 7,500 carbines were built and issued to the Calvary units assigned to the Indian Wars.
So if a carbine that you have in your collection isn’t in the 7th Calvary range, bear in mind that other regiments accompanying Custer in and out of Fort Abraham Lincoln carried Springfield carbines also, namely the 2nd and 3rd Cav. (We’ll talk about those and their identifiers at a later date).
Because only 1874 and 1875 production carbines were issued to the 7th prior to the Little Bighorn, serial numbers on all carbines used in battle were definitely below number 54812.
Happy Collecting… don’t listen to the attached stories, even though they are ever-so-intriguing. Take a deep breath and try to research the facts!
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