These rifles are based on designs by General J. N. Reece (commonly misspelled Reese) and Reuben Chaffee and approved for production and field use by the Ordnance Department in 1882 for testing alongside the Lee and Hotchkiss rifles. 753 were manufactured at Springfield Armory even though Colt had manufactured the original test rifle because Colt price was too high and they claimed to be only able to manufactured 200 in the allotted time. It has "U.S.-SPRINGFIELD-1884" on top of the receiver wall, "V P eagle head" proofs stamped on the barrel at the breech, a circled "P" proof on the stock behind the trigger guard tang and a crisp "SWP/1884" cartouche on the left side of the butt.

Very fine. The rifle retains 80% plus original blue/casehardened finish with the balance a smooth gray patina. The stock is also very fine with some minor pressure dents and scratches and crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.