12 Replies Latest reply on Jan 13, 2020 1:21 PM by Kelly Osborn

Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884

Paul Peter Dec 10, 2019 1:53 PM

I recently came across a Springfield model 1884 carbine with saddle ring and Serial number 411504. I was having some trouble finding year of manufacture and possibly a little history behind it. It looks to have been tacked and leathered by what I think would have been Cheyenne Indians judging by layout, but not positive. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884

Jason Atkinson Dec 11, 2019 3:31 PM (in response to Paul Peter)
Dear Mr. Peter,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

According to the following two sources, a Springfield Army weapon with that serial number would have been manufactured between April and June of 1888.

https://www.nps.gov/spar/learn/historyculture/upload/SA%20trapdoor%20rifle%20serial%20numbers.doc
http://gun-data.com/springfield_trapdoors.html

The first source was uploaded by the National Park Service’s Springfield Armory National Historic Site. For questions about that source and the archival and museum collections in their custody, please contact the park.

The official, permanent records of the Springfield Armory are in the custody of the National Archives at Boston which can be contacted via email at boston.archives@nara.gov.

However, neither the Springfield Armory National Historic Site nor the National Archives has records that reflect the disposition of individual firearms during or after their manufacture at Springfield Armory. Under normal War Department and Department of the Army records management procedures, such documentation would be destroyed after initial administrative use.

We hope this information is helpful.

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- Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884
  
  Paul Peter Dec 24, 2019 6:49 AM (in response to Jason Atkinson)
  
  Thanks for the reply! So do you have any suggestions on how I could verify the Indian decorations and maybe what Indian war it would have been a part of? Also would this weapon have been captured by Indians or just trade or bought by an Indian? Thanks
  
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  - Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884
    
    Paul Peter Dec 24, 2019 6:50 AM (in response to Paul Peter)
    
    Is there any way to post pics on this sight?
    
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    - Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884
      
      Kelly Osborn Dec 27, 2019 9:37 AM (in response to Paul Peter)
      
      You can add a picture by clicking the little picture icon when you're typing in any comment or post.
      
      I hope that helps!
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      - Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884
        
        Paul Peter Jan 10, 2020 2:48 PM (in response to Kelly Osborn)
        
        I tried to put a picture on there but it doesn't do anything. I hit browse, select the file which is 2.26 MB, then hit insert image and it does nothing. Doesn't even try or give me a message that I'm doing something wrong. Please advise
        
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        Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884
        
        Kelly Osborn Jan 13, 2020 9:22 AM (in response to Paul Peter)
        
        That's odd. I've tested the system and there doesn't appear to be an issue. Is it possible that the file is corrupted? Is it a PNG, JPG, or GIF?
        
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        Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884
        
        Paul Peter Jan 13, 2020 11:08 AM (in response to Kelly Osborn)
        
        JPG
        
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        Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884
        
        Kelly Osborn Jan 13, 2020 1:21 PM (in response to Paul Peter)
        
        It's possible that the file is corrupted. Try saving it as a GIF or PNG.
        
        Alternately, if you are unable to upload an image, you can also display an existing image. Just click the little image button, and then click "From the Web" and paste in the URL of the image.
        
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  - Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884
    
    Jason Atkinson Jan 2, 2020 8:29 AM (in response to Paul Peter)
    
    Dear Mr. Peter,
    
    Thank you for posting your follow-up request on History Hub!
    
    As indicated in our previous response, there are no surviving War Department records that would document the service history of individual firearms of the US Army, or their disposition upon leaving service.
    
    According to the Center of Military History, the only recognized Indian Wars Campaign to take place after manufacture date 1888 was the Pine Ridge campaign, sometimes known as the Ghost Dance War. However, given the lack of documentation, we can not determine whether your carbine was used in this campaign.
    
    In regards to the decorations, the National Archives does not have authority to appraise or authenticate historical objects. We suggest that you search for an antiques dealer, historian, or a museum with an expertise in Native American artifacts.
    
    We hope this information is helpful.
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Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884

Lisa Sharik Jan 2, 2020 10:21 AM (in response to Paul Peter)

I could not find your specific serial number in the Springfield Research Service serial numbers book, but I did find a couple of ones close to yours.
Serial numbers 411665,411679 and 411708 were all issued to Troop C, 8th Cavalry on August 5, 1889. Some other carbines further down the serial number list were issued between 1890 to 1894 all to various Troops with either the 8th Cav or the 10th Cav.

Lisa Sharik
Deputy Director
Texas Military Forces Museum
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Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884

Paul Peter Jan 10, 2020 9:59 AM (in response to Paul Peter)

Just wanted to thank you all for the replies. You all have been very helpfull. I wanted to post a picture but I guess this sight doesnt have that option from a phone.
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Re: Seeking year of manufacture of Springfield model 1884

Paul Peter Jan 10, 2020 2:09 PM (in response to Paul Peter)

Does anyone have any Idea where I might find someone that specializes in Indian guns. Im not doing to well on the internet. Dont know weather to go with a gun historian, Indian Historian, or both.
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