This interesting carbine falls before the standard 1896 serial range and has the receiver marking of "U.S./ 1895. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. 26537" (note the lack of "MODEL"). It has the standard blade front sight, adjustable "hump" folding ladder rear sight with sliding peep sight, and straight grip stock with grasping grooves on the forend and no visible cartouches. The handguard extends past the rear sight by 2 3/4 inches and rests against a non-grooved "U" marked barrel band. The butt trap contains the cleaning rod. There is a more recent "102" mark on the left side rear of the butt.

Fine as arsenal refurbished/upgraded. The barrel retains 50% of the arsenal blue finish with a brown patina on the balance and the receiver retains more than 50% of the dark original case colors with some brighter wear on the edges. There is some minor spotting and light scratches throughout. The wood is fine as repaired/refinished with cracks near the bolt recess and above the trigger guard on the left. The action is excellent.