This is a very fine example of a Remington-Lee Model 1899 bolt action rifle. Smokeless powder .30-40 caliber Michigan issued rifles are found in the 100001 to 102200 serial number range with this example made right after the finish of that contract, bearing serial number 102205. Of interesting note, Rock Island Auction Company previously sold a different example of a Remington-Lee Model 1899 with the same exact duplicate serial number as this example although with standard sights and a differently shaped handguard (reference lot 1230, auction 81). A possible explanation is that this gun may have not originally passed factory quality inspection and was held back as a factory test piece with experimental sights and was subsequently retained for the factory museum collection, with another duplicate numbered gun made in its place. This rifle has standard Remington Arms Co. receiver markings. The Krag-Jorgensen type rifle rear sight has a base graduated from 100 to 400 yards and a ladder graduated to 2,000 yards, with filled in mounting holes and redrilled and tapped mounting holes for this sight visible on top of the barrel beneath the sight base. The top of the barrel ahead of the handguard is marked "30 U.S.A." The bolt body and extractor are both numbered "498", and the bolt head is numbered "180". The detachable box magazine has three grooves and is numbered "641" on the right. Mounted on a smooth straight grip stock, with handguard and crescent buttplate. The top of the buttplate has two added drilled and tapped holes with one filled with a screw and the other empty, possibly for use with some form of a peep sight. Information on these rifles can be found in Eugene Myszkowski's book "The Remington-Lee Rifle" pages 53-62 and 98, and a list of Lee rifles known to have resided in Remington factory museum collection can be found on pages 75-77 in which this example is listed by its serial number as museum inventory number "183" on page 76. "327" is stamped in the stock to the right of the trigger. Two small pin-sized holes and a rectangular outline reside on the bottom of the buttstock area where a Remington collection brass inventory tag once resided. Includes a Remington bayonet. Provenance: The Remington Factory Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very fine, retains 99% factory quality refinished blue finish, with some edge wear to some of the markings and a few patches of light pitting visible underneath the finish. Stock is also very fine with some scattered light handling marks, the mentioned pin-sized holes for a collection tag, and defined edges. One absent screw on top of the buttstock, and absent rear barrel band screw. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good.