Treasures from Our West: George Armstrong Custer target rifle

Originally published in Points West in Fall 2010

Target rifle that belonged to George Armstrong Custer

Although he did not take it with him on the ill-fated sojourn that ended in his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876, this splendid .44 caliber Remington-Rider Long Range Creedmoor Target Rifle was owned by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. His wife Elizabeth, known affectionately by Custer as “Miss Libbie,” reputedly gave it to him as a gift.

Mrs. Custer presented the rifle to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1883 in memory of her husband, and the Olin Corporation donated it to the Cody Firearms Museum as part of the Winchester Arms Collection.

Remington-Rider Long Range Creedmoor target rifle. Gift of Olin Corporation, Winchester Arms Collection. 1988.8.735

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