The lot features a U.S. Springfield Model 1862, a .58 caliber rifled musket manufactured by Springfield Armory and other contractors from 1863-1865. The rifle has extraordinary brass tacked, pewter lead discs from melted bullet lead and a copper “Allegheny Arsenal 1861” badge on the reverse stock. The piece was given to Reverend Joseph Ward by Black Bull at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. Reverend Joseph Ward put the piece on display in his American Indian Museum display at the newly founded Indian College in Yankton, South Dakota. The museum and college were the first Indian College in the United States in the late 19th Century at Yankton, South Dakota. The museum closed in 1984 and the contents were sold to artifact dealer Jim Aplan of Piedmont, South Dakota. Aplan also bought from this deaccession sale, or auction, Sioux Chief Red Cloud’s tomahawk, which he later sold to Michigan collector, Dick Pohrt. Aplan later sold this rifle to wealthy collector Cyrus Eaton of Milton Street London, England in 1985, along with other rare objects. Black Bull was a Hunkpapa Sioux who was a member of Sitting Bull’s band and was present when Sitting Bull was killed by Indian Police officer Red Tomahawk, documents tell of Black Bull physically struggling with Red Tomahawk after the shooting. Black Bull was present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn with this rifle being of the correct date to have been carried there. He was wounded in the leg during the battle and later supposedly favored a double-barrel shotgun when he himself became an Indian Police Officer in 1891. The side lock plate of the rifle is marked U.S. Springfield along with the correct eagle and 1862. The rifl shows the original stock with the percussion cap hammer, trigger guard, sight, butte plate, push rod, two barrel bands and rifle sling attachments all still intact. The entire rifle is covered in later added brass trade tacks in elaborate patterns with two circles on the right side of poured bullet lead discs. The other side of the rifle also shows elaborate brass trade tacks with a badge or plaque marked “Allegheny Arsenal 1861”. The Allegheny Arsenal was actually in Maryland, not Pennsylvania as the name would suggest, and supplied all the accouterments that were dispersed through Fort Laramie such as rifles, pistols, saddles, canteens, ammunition, belts, and other wares. The firing mechanism on the rifle is in functioning order and the site is still present and functioning as well. Provenance: From the previous collection of Black Bull, Reverend Joseph Ward Yankton South Dakota Indian College and Museum, Jim Aplan Piedmont South Dakota, Cyrus Eaton London England. Truly a unique and rare original rifle with extraordinary history. Measures overall 45.5”L.