On June 18, Western Trading Post sold a piece of Little Bighorn battlefield history for the sum of $47,600. A Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine with ties to the battle was consigned to the auction. It was listed as a Native American capture gun that rode into battle in the hands of a soldier from the 7th Cavalry and left the field in the hands of a victorious Native American warrior. High Eagle, a member of the Sioux tribe, wound up with the weapon, which he kept until his death in the 1950s. In 1951, Life Magazine did an article about the 75th anniversary of the battle, and they featured High Eagle in the article, stating he was one of the last surviving members of the battle. The weapon was in non-functioning (relic state) due to an ancient accident; however, the primary value was in the history of the piece and the provenance that came with it, which tied it to the battle and High Eagle. A phone bidder from Montana is now only the fifth owner of this piece of history since High Eagle acquired it all those years ago. The consignor had the rifle for over 20 years before deciding to downsize due to age. Western Trading Posts auction was one of its semiannual Advanced Collectors Auctions, where the best in Western collectibles is offered. Other items of note were an engraved Model 1860 Henry rifle manufactured in 1862, selling for $44,800. Two consecutive numbered Colt Dragoons made in 1855 sold for $14,560. An engraved Colt Single Action Army pistol made in 1884 sold for $13,440, and an original Civil War era LeMat revolver realized $9,775. Prices reported include a 12-percent buyers premium. We had great buyer attendance from all over the country, even the world, for this auction. Over 800 bidders participated online and live, with thousands more viewing the auction over the two weeks it was posted. Our winning bidders came from five different countries, said co-owner and auctioneer Jim Olson. Western Trading Post is based in Casa Grande, Ariz., and deals in all sorts of Western Americana, Native American collectibles and historic firearms. To learn more, visit www.WesternTradingPost.com.