This is a Spanish American War Era Model 1896 service rifle. The receiver is marked "U.S. / MODEL 1896, SPRINGFIELD ARMORY." and the early five digit serial number. This rifle has all the features, like the butt-trap compartment, three piece cleaning rod in the butt, curved toe, longer handguard that extends over the receiver, 1902 style rear sight graduated to 2,000 yards, the two-strap forward barrel band with a bayonet lug and fixed front sight. The stock is the correct finger groove model with a very faint FSA over 1897 cartouche and a faint circled "P" on the wrist behind the trigger guard.

Fine as arsenal refurbished with approximately 75% of the faded original blue finish remaining overall with most of the blue remaining on the barrel and bands with some small areas of light spotting. The sides of the receiver are a mixture of blue finish and mottled patina. The trigger guard has a smooth gray patina as is the buttplate with some minor pitting on the heel. The stock is very good with a pleasant hand rubbed appearance and scattered minor dings and pressure dents. As noted the cartouches are very faint.