Trapdoor Rifles

I recently bought a Custer Era carbine #40877 on GunBroker. It is item # 1066947270 ,which can still be viewed if anyone wants to see it. I believe that it is unaltered and all correct. It does have a rack number, 24 NGC, stamped into the butt plate, which could possibly be from the National Guard of Colorado, as they were issued 140 carbines. Any thought? Thanks, Jim Meredith

Great find Jim. Congratulations. These days, we seldom find a specimen with such matching patina - usually some bit is off-color. The only thing I'd point out is the use of the earliest-style block, thought to have died out around 30,000, but who knows for sure?

FWIW, the number is on the list in my MS, if not the book, which I hope to reprint in the Spring.

I think you got a real bargain, as well. I've seen worse for more...

Dick, Thanks for the positive review of this carbine, 40877. I will take good care of it. I plan to get another copy of your book next spring. As for the rack number 24 NGC, stamped into the butt plate, maybe it stands for “National Guard of Custer”, ha ha! Thanks again, Jim Meredith

Thank you for the reply. That is what I thought. However have you ever done any work with the national archives on something like this or is that a waste of time?
Also this carbine has stamped into the top of the breechblock 400 and underneath 7/12 . I have read somewhere that that is a rack or lot number. However the military ,at least now, does not carve lot numbers or rack numbers into metal. Any thoughts.
Thanks
Chris

Congratulations on your new purchase, nice Trapdoor!

It would not be worth the time to go into the national archives as the late Frank Mallory spent countless hours compiling serial numbers there and printed five books of serial numbers found and at that its about five percent of all numbers.
Your number 40 877 is not listed and numbers around it were sent to 8th 4th and 6th cav. regiments.
Also NGC could be Connecticut

Several years ago, Charles Pate then (not sure about now) with SRS, wrote (I'm thinking in Man-at-Arms) a lengthy, detailed piece about researching in the NA. Not a pretty picture and not for the faint of heart, nor the impecunious if you are from out of town. First off, you are dealing with a current government agency - that alone is a major turnoff (think of the DMV on STEROIDS) - and then the seemingly endless frustrations begin... The odds seem greatly against finding anything meaningful on your first few forays.

Here is the link to Charlie Pate's excellent article.

All collectors owe a huge debt to Frank Mallory, Charles Pate, and other researchers who have toiled for years or decades at the Archives finding occasional ponies in the poop.

https://americansocietyofarmscollectors ... -Guide.pdf

John S. wrote: ↑Sun Dec 08, 2024 4:25 am Here is the link to Charlie Pate's excellent article.

All collectors owe a huge debt to Frank Mallory, Charles Pate, and other researchers who have toiled for years or decades at the Archives finding occasional ponies in the poop.

https://americansocietyofarmscollectors ... -Guide.pdf

Yup, that's the one! Many thanks, John...