The accompanying Springfield Research Service letter and copies of government records identify this rifle as one of ten that were tested by the Inspector of Ordnance at Hartford to determine the drift of Lee rifles. Sub-Inspector Stevenson fired the rifles at 200 and 1,000 and it was concluded that no drift occurred. For the tests a leaf with a central sighting notch was fitted in place of the standard Navy leaf and it was recommended that all Navy sight notches be centrally located. The rear sight recommendation was not accepted. This rifle is also identified in Eugene Myszkowski's book THE WINCHESTER-LEE RIFLE, page 38 (the book is included in this lot). The chamber of this rifle is marked "-U.S.N.-/[anchor]/No 768/-N.C.T.-" with the left receiver wall marked with the two line Winchester address/patent date marking. The rear sight is graduated to 2,000 yards. "U" marked rear barrel band and mounted on a smooth pistol grip stock. The buttplate has the "T" inside a triangle marking of U.S. Navy inspector Ensign Nathan C. Twining. The following accessories are also included: U.S. Navy Ensign Nathan C. Twining inspected bayonet with first contract type scabbard featuring a knob tip, another first contract type scabbard which was inspected by Twining, Rock Island Arsenal USMC McKeever 6mm cartridge box, a Navy blue web cartridge belt with suspenders, and a reproduction Orndorff button.

Very good. The rifle retains 30% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The wood is good with a crack near the stock toe, a large surface chip missing near the grip area, repaired handguard, and a number of minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. Bayonet is good with some minor pitting. The cartridge box and belt are both in very good condition.