Manufactured in 1877, this rifle has the Second Model receiver with dust cover guide attached by two screws. The dust cover has the distinctive stamped checkered oval finger guide. The top barrel flat is marked with the two line address/King's improvement patent dates ahead of the rear sight and "CAL. 45-60" at the breech. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1876", the serial number is marked on the lower tang and the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is marked "45-60". Dovetailed German silver blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight graduated to 1,000 yards and marked "1876". Blue finish with casehardened hammer, lever, forend cap and buttplate. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate with compartment, (cleaning rod not included). The accompanying factory letter verifies the original rifle configuration with a octagon barrel and set trigger. The rifle was received in the warehouse on September 23, 1879, and the barrel was changed to 28 inch octagon 45-60 caliber, plain trigger and then shipped on order number 20772 on July 17, 1880.

Fine. The rifle retains 30% plus original blue finish overall, (mainly on the barrel and in protected areas) mixed with smooth gray and brown patina. The hammer, (most still remaining) and lever show strong original case colors with a smooth dark patina on the balance. The forend cap and buttplate has a smooth mottled gray patina. The wood is very good with numerous minor gouges, dents and scratches on the stock, and some scattered minor dings and dents on the forearm. The markings are clear. The action is fine.