This is an extremely rare Colt manufactured Franklin Military Model Serial Number 1 bolt action repeating "Trials" rifle. These rifles are really an enigma in the Colt collecting community as well as in the martial arms field as only an extremely small quantity were ever produced with an even fewer number actually surviving. As noted on pages 480-481 in "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson, there were exactly 50 of these rifles manufactured. This specific rifle is serial number "1" and was probably retained by the Colt factory as the original first production rifle after actually being submitted to the Government for testing. This model represents an important step in the development of repeating military bolt actions rifles based on two features. It uses a lifting bolt mechanism (later used on numerous military rifles) and it has a multi-shot box magazine, (which is included and attached on this rare rifle) both features were very advanced for their time. These rifles were the brainchild of General William Franklin, who was the Vice President of Colt in the 1880-1900 time frame and is actually credited with the patents for this design. The obvious most unique feature of this rifle is the top mounted 9 round box magazine with a receiver mounted cutoff. Both were very innovative for the time. This rotary design in a modified form was subsequently used in several later rifles like the Krag, Johnson and Ruger 10-22 rifles, albeit with a spring mechanism inside. The obvious idea was to increase the firepower of the standard infantry rifle by adding a simple gravity feed magazine. The magazine itself has a simple loading port on the underside that once loaded, inverted and attached to the rifle fed the rifle by gravity and the slight recoiling/shaking of the rifle during firing. This design proved to be extremely simple and reliable and was extensively tested by both the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance and the U.S. Army Ordnance Board in the 1887-1888 time period. After firing over four thousand rounds with no apparent failures to feed or fire, they determined the design to be simple, reliable and was more solid and safe than any other system known at that time and satisfactory for military service but none were ordered. The rifle itself was built on a modified Springfield rifle as the rear sights, barrel bands, barrel, ramrod and buttplate are all similar to the 1863 and later 1873 trapdoor rifles. The barrel has the standard "V. P. and Eagle Head" proofs, with a single "A" stamped on top in front of the receiver.

Extremely fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish overall with the top center section of the exposed barrel (between the two barrel bands), the lower trigger guard/tang and the left side of the receiver showing a brown patina, mixed with light peppery pin-prick pitting from being handling by both the military and the Colt factory employees over the years. The balance of the rifle shows a nice original blue finish. The stock is very fine with an attractive dark brown color overall showing minor handling marks, light pressure dents and scratches on the sides. This is a very rare and historic Colt repeating trials rifles that would look wonderful in any early Colt collection or a US Martial Arms collection.