This rifle has the rarely seen open top frame whereas the later Model 1876s had dust covers. Only around 3,000 were produced in 1876 and 1877 out of the total of 63,871 manufactured between 1876 and 1897. This example was produced early in production in the very first year! It has a German silver blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight on a barrel marked with the two-line address/King's patent information ahead of the rear sight. There are no caliber markings, but 45-75 was the standard cartridge early on. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1876," and the lower tang has the serial number. Mounted on a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with crescent buttplate.

Fair. The rifle has an artificial brown patina mixed with a smooth gray patina. The refinished, undersized wood is also fair with a long crack behind the upper tang extending both sides of the buttstock, a circular gouge on the stock, a couple missing small chips and some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.