SOLD - Rare, 1874 Frankford Arsenal .45-70 Springfield Carbine Ammunition - 20-Round Box

Description

4/17/25 - This is an exceptionally rare and desirable 20-round box of .45 caliber Springfield Carbine cartridges, manufactured at the historic Frankford Arsenal in July 1874. This early-production ammunition was made just one year after the adoption of the .45-70 Government cartridge by the U.S. military and would have been issued for use with the iconic Springfield Trapdoor carbine during the Indian Wars era. The box remains sealed in its original wax wrap, with a remarkably well-preserved and fully legible label detailing the load: 55 grains of musket powder with 405-grain bullets. To protect the integrity of the box and prevent further separation along the seams, a previous owner carefully applied a clear outer plastic wrap. This was done strictly for preservation and display purposes, with no impact on the original wax seal or contents. Boxes of this age and condition are seldom seen on the market, making it a rare opportunity for advanced collectors of antique ammunition, U.S. military history, or frontier-era firearms. A true piece of 19th-century American history—ideal for display or long-term investment.