1873 springfield "no cartouche"

[murdoc rose]

Is there any reason that a 73 Springfield carbine would not have a cartouche on it?
Gun dates to 1880 and doesn't look sanded on. It is not a star marked gun.

 

[Jim K]

It could be a replacement stock; the cartouche was the final inspection stamp at the Armory, so there was none on replacement stocks whether contemporary or recent. Also, many cartouches were deliberately worn down and/or sanded off. Troops were often "encouraged" to get rid of those "ugly" gouges in the stock, and they did so. After years of handling, the place where the cartouche had been looks the same as the rest of the stock.

Jim

 

[murdoc rose]

thanks jim

 

[Jim K]

If you have never heard the term "boning a rifle stock", see if you can look it up. It explains a lot about vanishing cartouches and proof marks.

Jim

 

[murdoc rose]

I've heard of something similar and that would explain a lot.