True West’s Firearms Editor Phil Spangenberger was asked to share with us 10 significant photos of the Old West. His nine other photos and descriptions can be seen and read on pages 20-39. Here is what he wrote about this historic image from the National Archives: “This 1885 action photo shows the white clouds of smoke from the fired black powder Springfield Trapdoor .45-70 carbines of the 6th U.S. Cavalry. They are undergoing training for their mounts under fire at Fort Wingate, New Mexico Territory. This exceptional image reveals the true professionalism of the 1880s frontier military, along with how well cavalry horses were trained. Ironically, the prone animals provided protection for the troopers, while making themselves much smaller targets.”
Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration
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