This is an original Springfield Model 1847 Percussion Sapper & Miner Musketoon with Native American telegraph wire wrapping attributed to Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux High Bear and the Battle of the Little Bighorn (brother of Chief Crow King). The rifle exhibits a 26-inch round barrel with total length around 41 1/16-inch total length chambered in .69 caliber percussion cap. The rifle was examined by The Guns of History and found to be signed in Lakota Togia language marks which are some of the most clear of any gun we have offered on the left side of the stock, “High Bear – Brothers – Died First (and the Crow King Personal Talonapin Mark Fresh meat Necklace Band; illustrations 1)”. The rifle has original Native American telegraph copper wire wrappings at the gripping area of the stock, a common documented alteration and repair by Northern Plains warriors.
High Bear was born in 1842, a Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux, and brother of the great Chief Crow King. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn Crow King had 80 men in his band including his three brothers; High Bear, Swift Bear and White Bull. Swift Bear was killed in the battle by an Arikara scout during the valley fight and White Bull was killed in the valley fight against Reno’s troops. According to the family winter count testimony, High Bear saw the soldier that killed his brother White Bull and rode after him, firing and missing. He caught the solider and clubbed him to death with his rifle, cracking / breaking the stock. Many of the Crow King’s band warriors carried percussion rifles as their ammunition for their repeating rifles was used at the Rosebud Battle, but they had plenty powder and lead for bullets. High Bear and Crow King went with Sitting Bull to Canada and returned to Fort Buford in February in 1881 to surrender. In 1884 both brothers fell ill and Crow King made High Bear the Chief of his band, unfortunately both men died two months apart.
This rifle with the clear Native American repair is attributed as being from High Bear at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Rare 1847 Springfield Musketoon Sapper & Minner rifle in good original working order. Antique rifle NO FFL. Comes with signed paperwork, history and illustrations.