NEF Springfield carbine - need info

[Preacherman]

Hi, all. I've been offered a NEF replica of the Springfield Model 1873 (?) cavalry carbine in .45-70. It's a lovely-looking gun, good blueing and a very nice stock. Apparently (according to the seller) these were made in limited numbers by NEF some time ago, but were not in production for very long. Certainly, I haven't been able to find one for sale on Gunbroker to do any comparisons.

Does anyone know when these carbines were produced? What would be a fair price for one in NRA 90% to 95% condition? I'm really tempted by this rifle, just as a "fun gun" - but I might put it to use on local whitetail as well...

 

[Jim Watson]

Harrington and Richardson made trapdoors in the early 1970s, before the reorganization into NEF; I know of none since. Blue Book values in the $300 to $500 range unless it is one of the Custer Commemoratives, only one per trooper. An Officer's Model would be somewhat more.