This is a neat gun! It is an original U.S. model 1877 military .45-70 caliber centerfire carbine. These carbines are much more scarce than the standard rifle versions. According to Flayderman's guide there were only about 2,946 of these made from 1877 until 1878 at the Springfield Arsenal. They have the clear proud "SPRINGFIELD" stamping in front of the hammer. Below the Springfield marking, it has the "1873" stamping and to the left of the stamp it has the Union eagle. The action works well on all positions. The barrel is full-length at 22 inches with excellent rifling still inside. It has the original front and rear sight intact. The rear sight has the single leaf carbine design and the original slide is intact. It has the trapdoor style loading system on the breech. The top of the breechblock has the U.S. Mark along with the "1873" date of model marking. It has the serial number of 75,297. This one has the saddle bar and ring intact on the flat opposite of the lockplate. The stock has an attractive dark tone to the walnut wood. On the back side of the stock, it has the oval stamp with the Springfield arsenal inspector mark of "ESA" for Erskin Allin. Below his initials it has the 1877 date of production. It has the compartment in the buttplate but the cleaning rod is missing in action. You see the compartment has the eagle style design. This is a good looking original model 1877 Springfield trapdoor carbine in fine shape. These are tough to find and this is a nice one.