Remington-Keene Frontier Model bolt action magazine rifle purchased by the U.S. Department of the Interior c. 1880-1881 to arm Indian Police. Total production of the Frontier Model rifle is estimated at fewer than 500 rifles. The rifle has a 24-inch round barrel with full-length magazine. The carbine style upper barrel band has an integral iron front sight. A folding leaf rear sight graduated to 900 yards is mounted on the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The innovative Remington-Keene rifles also featured an external hammer and magazine cut-off. The rifle has sling swivels on the forend cap and stock. The stock is straight grain American walnut. The rifle has a blue finish with casehardened hammer. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped "U.S.I.D." (United States Interior Department) followed by the serial number "203". A later, non-factory, number "W1018469" is electro-penciled on the receiver behind the serial number; the significance of this marking is unknown. The top of the bolt is roll-stamped "E.REMINGTON & SONS. ILLION.N.Y./ PAT. FEB'Y 24. MCH.1874./SEPT 26. 1876. MCH 20. JULY 31 1877" in three lines. A "P" proofmark is stamped above a "W.W.K." inspection mark behind gas port on the top of the receiver. The "H.N." sub-inspection marks of Ordnance Inspector Henry Nettleton are stamped adjacent to each other on the left side of the barrel and receiver. An Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of script initials "HN" with an oval border is stamped on the left stock wrist. Included with the rifle is a blue wool, uniform blouse with five regulation eagle and shield brass buttons on the front, three smaller eagle and shield buttons on each cuff and white piping on the collar. Brass, pin-fastened, "U.S.S." (United States Scout) Indian Scout insignia are attached to each collar. A pewter, shield-shaped "Indian Police" badge is pinned to the left breast of the blouse. The badge is embossed with a "US" monogram above "INDIAN/POLICE" and a bow and crossed arrow insignia. Included with the group are copies of photographs of Native American Indian Police on the Standing Rock Reservation c. 1890 wearing similar uniforms and badges.

Fine. The rifle is all original with moderate handling wear and retains about 40% of the original blue finish. The "U.S.I.D." and Ordnance sub-inspection marks on the barrel and receiver are crisp. The stock has moderate handling and storage wear and is in good overall condition. The Henry Nettleton final inspection mark on the left side of the stock wrist is light but legible. The rifle appears to be in good mechanical condition. The uniform blouse is in excellent condition; the blue wool is not faded, all of the brass buttons are present and the interior lining is in very good condition. The scarce Indian Police badge and U.S. Indian Scout collar insignia are probably not original to the blouse. This is a fine grouping of a scarce Indian Police Remington-Keene Frontier Model rifle, Indian Scout collar insignia and Indian Police badge.