The Joslyn rifle was the first breech loading metallic cartridge rifle manufactured at a U.S. national armory. Reportedly, 3,007 were assembled at Springfield Armory in January to June of 1865 utilizing breech units supplied by the Joslyn Firearms Company. 1,600, including this one, were converted to centerfire from their previous rimfire configuration and rechambered for use with the .50-70 Government cartridge. Most of these were reassembled with little regard to matching numbers and sold to the French during the Franco-Prussian War, and some were later turned into shotguns for civilian sales, making .50-70 rifles like this scarce. It has a fixed blade front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug and Model 1864 style rifle-musket rear sight, "M/2822" marked on top of the breech block, "M/1600" on the upper tang, "1864" date at the tail of the lock with a federal eagle and "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" at the front of the lock, "E.T" inspection initials marked in the stock behind the trigger guard tang, and "US" marked buttplate. Includes a "US" marked socket bayonet.

Good with gray patina on the barrel and fittings, brown patina on the casehardened lock and breech block, scattered dark colored light pitting, and legible markings in the metal. Stock is also good as re-oiled, with numerous scattered dents and scratches, a few reglued/reattached sections visible around the barrel tang along with a few chips, and defined edges. Half absent firing pin retention screw head. Mechanically fine. Bayonet is also good with some scattered patches of pitting/oxidation.