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

Very fine. The barrel retains 90% plus original blue finish with areas thinning to a smooth brown. The receiver and trigger guard retain most of the original faded case colors with some scattered areas of smooth gray patina. The magazine shows 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 overall some scattered minor dents and dings. All markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.