This is a very fine, totally original example of a scarce Model 1882 U.S. Contract rifle. Only about 1,000 Model 1882 Lee Rifles were manufactured for the military. The left receiver side is marked "E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A./SOLE MANUFACTURERS AND AGENTS/US" and the top of the left receiver rail is marked "THE LEE ARMS Co. BRIDGEPORT, CONN. U.S.A./PATENTED NOV. 4TH 1879" along with the serial number. "U.S." and "V/P" are marked on the left rear of the barrel with "D.F.C." on the left rear flat. The rear sight is stamped " R L" on the left side and the magazine is unmarked. Casehardened receiver, with blue on the remaining parts. The rear sight, buttplate and barrel bands were furnished by Springfield Armory. The rifle has a full straight grip walnut stock with two barrel bands, steel forend cap and carbine style buttplate which is marked "U.S." on the tang. The comb at the buttplate is stamped with the issue number "I.D.P./72" and directly behind the trigger guard is the U.S. military inspector stamp "D.F.C./P" (David F. Clark, also inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry SA's). Comes with the correct cleaning rod.

Very fine. The barrel retains 90% plus original blue finish showing areas thinning to a smooth brown. 75% of the original case colors remain on the receiver and trigger guard with some scattered areas of smooth gray patina. The magazine retains strong scattered thin original blue finish mixed with smooth brown patina. The stock is also very fine with almost all of the original finish and some scattered minor dents and dings overall. All markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.