Serial number corresponds to 1881 per Madis. The accompanying factory letter states serial number 72823 was received in the warehouse on September 22, 1881 and was shipped the next day with nickel and gilt finish, fancy stock, rear sight positioned near receiver as close as possible, and factory engraved at an additional cost of $5.00. The gold plated second model receiver is adorn with a factory engraving consisting of scrollwork on punch dot backgrounds, a circular vignette of a buck running through an open field on the left side plate, and a buck amongst the scrollwork on the right side plate. Additional scroll flourishes appear on the barrel at the breech, both barrel bands, receiver dust cover, and buttplate tang. The rifle is fitted with blade and two leaf rear sights and a saddle ring mounted on the left side of the receiver. The top of the barrel has the two-line factory style legend ahead of the rear sight. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873," and the lower tang has the serial number behind the lever catch. The receiver, dust cover, and buttplate are plated in gold, and the remaining surfaces are plated in nickel. The plain forearm and straight grip stock are highly figured XXX walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate, and the butt compartment contains a three piece cleaning rod. The left side of the lower tang is marked "XXX 681." The assembly number "681" is repeated on the stock inlet.

Fine as professionally restored overall, scattered patches of oxidation, crisp engraving, highly figured wood. Mechanically excellent.