Manufactured in 1898 and marked with the "KSM/1898" cartouche of inspector Kelley S. Morse on the left side of the wrist, "U.S." on the receiver at the breech, the two-line model designation on the upper tang and the serial number on the lower tang. Only 10,000 were produced under U.S. government contract while 293,816 were sold to the Russian government. After issues with the first 100 rifles delivered the balance of the contract was sold to a dealer in New York, who in turn, sold most to Cuba. This example has a pinned blade front sight (bead absent), absent rear sight, and a receiver mounted Lyman peep sight added. It is fitted with the standard long musket forearm with grasping grooves, hand guard, and buttstock with a leather sling and buttplate with a trapdoor for the included cleaning rod.

Fine with missing/added sights. The rifle retains 70% of the original blue finish with patches of brown patina and limited spots of mild-moderate pitting. The wood is fine with sharp original cartouche scratches throughout, some pressure dents, bruising, and minor dings. The action is excellent and the markings are crisp. The sling is very good.