One of only 1,011 manufactured for United States Army rifle trials. The harsh testing on the western frontier left few Ward-Burton Rifles in any condition. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, "U.S./SPRINGFIELD 1871" on the left side of the receiver and "WARD.BURTON. PATENT./DEC.20.1859 FEB.21.1871" on top of the bolt cover. Smooth straight wrist stock with a metal ramrod, "JWR" and "EJA" inspector cartouches on the left side and a "US" marked buttplate.

Fine. The steel is bright with traces of the original "oil quenched" finish remaining on the receiver, and mild staining and handling marks. The stock is very fine with some clamp marks on the forearm, the front sling swivel absent and scattered mild handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This is a solid representative example of this scarce U.S. Military rifle!