079-0522-7842, Colt M-1860 Army, ID’d to the Minneconjou band of the Lakota. They are a Native American people constituting a subdivision of the Lakota people, who formerly inhabited an area in western present-day South Dakota from the Black Hills into the Platte River. The owner was Many Trails. Many Trails was a camp guard at the Battle of Greasy Grass, (Little Bighorn.) Many Trails was at the battle of the LIttle Bighorn, he was a camp guard and a few months later participated in the battle of Slim Buttes and was wounded in the arm. The wound shattered the bone in his arm and he passed away the following year. The gun was believed to have been buried with him, due to the level of pitting on the backstrap and fine pinpricks on the barrel. The bore is strongly rifled with scattered fine patches of residue. About 50% scene, slightly worn barrel address. 2 large chips on grips with visible grip cartouche. Functional action. #131xxx matching on the bottom of the gun. I cannot make out the number on the cylinder, the wedge I could not pop loose. The wedge screw is missing and the hammer screw is a replacement. The gun comes with a booklet from The GUNS of HISTORY, that specializes in guns Identified to the tribes that fought at the battle of the LIttle Bighorn. [/p][p]

The markings are in the Togia language and marked on the gun on both metal and wood. These are the symbols used by the Lakota people of the late 1800’s. Little research has been done on this language and much of it is passing away, since little of it is written. Wendell Grangaard has written books on the subject, he has appeared on several television shows and has a museum where this subject is discussed in detail. The gun comes with the booklet with photographs of the markings on the gun, and a description of the life of Many Trails, assuming the facts in the book are correct, this gun was at the battle of the Little Bighorn, though probably not used against Custer’s forces.

Good overall.

Est. Retail Value: $2900