This is an original Custer Battlefield U.S. Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor carbine (S/N) 36457 belonging to Second Lieutenant Benjamin Hubert Hodgson, Company B of the U.S. 7TH Cavalry. The rifle was noted as being captured by Fools Bear (Fools Bear was noted by John A. Kopec as being listed as turning in firearms including a Colt SAA #4878 in the National Archives records). The Custer Battlefield high serial number range has been documented as 33,000 – 43,700. Gun No. 13 Springfield U.S. Model 1873 Serial Number 36451 is documented as matching eight .45-55 cartridge cases from the Reno-Benteen defense area found along the soldier’s retreat line from Weir Point, on Sharpshooters Ridge. One author noted, “..a carbine that falls within nine or 10 serial numbers of a documented battle carbine has a good chance of being a battle relic. Carbine serial number 36461 in our study group falls close to two known 7th Cavalry carbines (#36419 and #36451) and two highly likely carbines (#36442 and #36481)… it is becoming increasingly obvious that few 36400 serial number range carbines will be found, and that there is an ominous and unusual gap in the listings. This would seem to bear out the belief that a sizeable group of these carbines fell into Indian hands.” With this carbine being serial number 36457 only six serial numbers away from a document carbine with forensic confirmation this is clearly an authentic Custer Battlefield carbine.
Furthermore this rifle was identified as having Togia Lakota language marks by expert Wendell Grangaard of The Guns of History. This 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Carbine belonged to Second Lieutenant Benjamin Hubert Hodgson, Company B, 7th Cavalry. Hodgson was killed by Fools Bear (aka Afraid of Nothing Bear) during the valley fight at the ford of Little Bighorn on that fateful day. Fools Bear took Hodgson’s carbine, watch and revolver off his body. Later as recorded by the Busmark Tribune on November 25, 1876: “General Carlin informs us that he received through Indains the watch beloging to Lieutenant B.H. Hodgson, 7th Cavalry..” Returned to Post Commander of the Cheyenne River Agency Lieutenant George P. Buell and relayed by General Carlin commander of the Standing Rock Reservation and returned to the family. After the Little Bighorn some of the Miniconjou and Sanarc made concession with General Nelson Miles to surrender at Cheyenne River Agency including Fools Bear in September / October of 1876. He became a favorite scout of General Miles and was allowed to keep the S/N 36457 carbine. Later as noted in the National Archives records on a John A. Kopec letter included in the provenance Colt SAA Revolver #4878 was turned in by the Indian Fools Bear on September 5, 1876. The carbine is marked with the band marks of Sitting Bullin old trade square shank brass tacks on both sides of the stock (illustration 1). The Touch the Cloud’s Wakpokinyan Band is on the right side of the stock in square shank brass tacks, but the tops of the tacks have fallen off or been removed (illustration 2). On the left side of the stock is Fools Bear’s togia mark along with a version of his surrender. He also marked the rifle with battle marks for the three important battles he participated in: Rosebud, Little Bighorn and Slim Buttes (illustration 3). Paperwork documentation is included with his lot.
Not only is this serial number in the documented Little Bighorn Custer Carbine serial range, it is only six numbers away from a gun forensically documented as being from the battlefield, noted as being Hodgson’s carbine it also has the documented Lakota Tack marks and carvings as well as being from Fool’s Bear, an Indian who had three documented returned items from Kopec, National Archives, General Carlin and the Bismarck Tribune. Truly a historic and rare piece, one of the strongest Little Bighorn Carbines offered for sale. Appears to function, hammer clicks back twice, trigger releases it, trapdoor clicks open and closed. Antique Firearm NO FFL.
