MODEL 1873 WINCHESTER INDIAN RIFLE, .44-40 CAL WCF

Rifle with Togia translated by Grangaard identifying owner, s/n covered by rawhide stock wrap, overstitched hide grips, 23" octagonal barrel, 43 1/2" overall, came out of Northwest Cultural Center in Walla Walla, WA in1979. Owned by Two Feather at the time of Little Big Horn, he was well-recorded as being present.Letter from Wendell Grangaard, President of The Guns of History: "During my examination of this 1873 Winchester Rifle, I discovered the serial number was covered by leather. However, the name Two Feather is written in togia on the right side of the receiver as part of the messge "hunted buffalo killed eight". On the right side of the stock is the band mark in buttons of Little Wolf's Elk Horn Scraper Society of the Cheyenne. There is also a cross chasing mark of Little Chief's Dog Soldiers. The same Dog Soldier mark is found on the elevator. On the left side of the receiver, Two Feather tells of the time, in togia when he traded with some traders. He says "many buffalo hides for eight sheeps".I believe the togia on this rifle was written as a tribute to time gone past. Two Feather was a Northern Cheyenne, who rode with Crazy Horse and Two Moon at Rosebud, and with Two Moon at Little Big Horn. While at Little Big Horn, Two Feather's horse was killed, so he continued to fight on foot, running and shooting alongside Beard.On April 20, 1877, he surrendered with Two Moon at Fort Keough to General Miles. When Wooden Leg was writing the book with Dr. Thomas Marquis, Two Feather gave his testimony about the battle, which was included in the book "Wooden Leg: A Warrior Who Fought Custer".