This is a nice example of one of only 753 bolt action Chaffee-Reese rifles manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1884. This action was invented by General Reuben S. Chaffee and Jasper N. Reese in 1879 and was one of the rifles selected by the Magazine Rifle Board of 1882 for field trials. The magazine feed mechanism, a tube loaded through a trapdoor in the butt, employed a double ratchet which moved the cartridges forward one space each time the bolt was cycled. A cutoff switch on the right side of the receiver allowed for single shots while keeping the magazine fully loaded. Only the initial order was made, making this one of the rarest issue weapons manufactured by Springfield Armory. The barrel has the standard Springfield "V/P/eagle head" proof and inspection marks on the left rear of the barrel. The top left side of the receiver is marked " U.S. -- SPRINGFIELD. -- 1884". The rear sight base is marked "C-R" on the left side as well as graduated markings of 1 to 6, with the sliding sight replaced with a folding adjustable notch sight marked "R". The stock has wrist checkering (well executed, similar to Officer's Model Trapdoors; origin unknown), a circled script "P" proof (faint) stamped behind the trigger guard finial, a "SWP/1884" cartouche on the left side of the buttstock and the number "18" stamped on the right side ahead of the trigger (origin of stamp unknown). The rifle has a "US" marked bayonet with scabbard (doesn't fit the rifle properly).

Very fine. The rifle retains 85% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The non-standard checkered stock is otherwise very fine with a few minor handling/storage marks with a sharp cartouche. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is fine. The bayonet is good with a smooth dark brown patina. The scabbard is fair with some heavy cracking, some separated stitching and a dark aged patina on the brass.