This rifle is one of just 134 Model 1874 Creedmoor No. 1 rifles; all were manufactured between March of 1874 and December of 1875. It has a silver inscription plate on the right side of the stock marked "J.N. WINSLOW/Po'keepsie N.Y." in alternating scripts. This is a fairly common way to shorten out Poughkeepsie, New York, in the period. Plaques in this location were common on No. 1 Long Range rifles but less common on Creedmoor rifles. Captain James Norton Winslow (b. March 19, 1851) was the son of a New York banker and related to Plymouth Colony Governor Edward Winslow, one of the original colonists who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower. J. N. Winslow was one of just 35 competitors listed at the second match at the National Rifle Association's opening of the Creedmoor Range in June 1873. The first match was a military rifle only affair, but the second match allowed any rifle under 10 lbs. without hair triggers and scopes as noted in The National Rifle Association Annual Report published in 1874. The Creedmoor rifles were manufactured specifically for shooting in contests at that range. On October 1, 1874, Winslow left on the U.S.S. Swatara as a member of the United States Government expedition to Tasmania, New Zealand, and Chatham Island to observe the transit of Venus. He returned on May 31, 1875. The rifle may have been a presentation related to his adventure. Winslow was also the inspector of rifle practice for the 21st New York National Guard Regiment until 1876, and in 1877, he was listed as residing in Poughkeepsie. He won other shooting events including a trap shoot at the Larchmont Yacht Club in 1889. He and his brother Edward were members of multiple yacht clubs. The left side of the wrist is stamped "A. G. HULL" in large letters. Hull was the winner of a match at the Saratoga Rifle Club on December 22, 1883. The March 15, 1895 edition of the art enthusiast journal "The Collector" noted that the stamp collection of the late A.G. Hull of Saratoga was sold at auction. It is possible that Hull is Augustus Gerald Hull (1858-1893) whose father, Amos Gerald (1810-1859), was the first American to take up the study of medicine as a homoeopathic student and enjoyed a well respected career in homoeopathic medicine. No relationship between the Hull and Winslow has been found. Perhaps Winslow sold the rifle, and Hull purchased it directly or indirectly. This conclusion is most plausible when noting that the Winlsow plate has been over stamped in large letters "A.G. HULL." The rifle has a windgauge globe front sight, no rear slot on the barrel, the one-line Hartford address on top of the barrel, "44 CALIBRE" on top at the breech, a plain trigger, long range Vernier peep sight, standard patent marking on the left side of the frame, a checkered forearm with correct Creedmoor forend cap, and a semi-pistol grip buttstock with hard rubber grip cap and a special order checkered bare butt fitted with smooth toe and heel plates (full shotgun buttplates were standard). The barrel, lock, peep sight, trigger plate, and buttstock are all matching numbered. The correct serial number under the peep sight remains partially visible but, as was standard, has been mostly removed when the peep sight was fitted.

Fine. 30% of the faded original blue finish remain on the barrel mixed with slight spotting and patina. The action has mostly silvered out but has original case colors in protected areas. The toe and heel plates have gray and brown patina and minor oxidation. The inscription plate has aged patina and sharp markings. The refinished wood is very fine with sharp checkering and scattered minor marks. It is mechanically excellent and has mostly crisp markings.