Starred 1873 carbines and rifles

[kragnut]

Are these worth more, less, the same than standard non custer ranged 1873s, assuming similar condition and no SRS hits?

[Dick Hosmer]

IMHO, the star neither adds nor detracts from value. Before their true use (in conjunction with the salvaged parts from the the great 1879 turn-in, to build up a reserve of weapons for issue to second-echelon troops) was understood, they usually brought a small premium. The starred receivers - which were not used on arms totalled in the annual reports - are responsible for the year/number hiccup of the 1880s.

[kragnut]

Thanks Dick

My increasing addiction to Samurai lore and weapons is causing me to sell off some of my "extras". Whats the going range for correct starred 73 carbines, untouched, with about 70% case colors and blue. Stock cartouche is 1881?

[Dick Hosmer]

I'd think between $1500 and $2000, perhaps more (that's quite a bit of case/blue). Remember - "you can ALWAYS come down" :-)

[sdkrag]

Dick,
Can you give a brief expaination of the starred weapons. My father-in-law had one a few years ago and we never had a good expaination. I have also heard that the starred serials were sometimes duplicated. Is there anything to that? We belong to Indian Wars reenacting groups here in SD. He in particular has had upward of 50 to 60 trapdoors pass through his ownership in supplying soldiers. That included a very nice forager with a box of original FA loads adn a web belt. I still prefer my Krags so I am not quite as up to speed on the trapdoors.

[sdkrag]

I did mean explaination. I need to take typing lessons and learn to proofread.

[Dick Hosmer]

Yes, but I'll be off my computer for a few days. You might try www.trapdoorcollector.com. I wrote the FAQ there.