Only 143 of these rifles were made at Springfield Armory in 1875 before funds for the manufactured were used up. They are based on an action patented by James Paris Lee, one of the most talented firearms designers of the late 19th century and a man far more well-known for his later bolt action rifles including the British Lee-Enfields. It is marked with "U.S./PAT. MAR. 16, 1875" on the upper tang, an "ESA" cartouche on the left side of the stock, and a "P" in a circle behind the trigger guard on the bottom of the stock. The front sight is a dovetailed blade rather than the standard bayonet stud and blade, and the rear sight is a later Buffington rear sight of the type used on the Model 1884 trapdoors. The front barrel band has stacking sling swivels. The buttplate is stamped "US" on the tang. While the operation of the rifle is relatively simple, it is not as intuitive as others and easily could have caused problems under the stress of combat. After the rifle is fired, the hammer is pushed forward, dropping the pivoting breechblock and extracting the fired cartridge. Thrusting the hammer forward forcefully should exert enough pressure to ejector the spent cartridges. Inserting a fresh cartridge releases the breechblock, and cocking the hammer returns the action firing position. This is far more complex than the manual of arms for the Springfield trapdoor system which remained the standard in the U.S. into the early 1890s or several other breech loading systems of the era such as the Remington rolling block.

Fine with replaced sights, 70% original finish, wear at the muzzle typical of use with a bayonet, some light spotting, and a few minor marks and scratches. The fine refinished stock has minor nicks and scratches and a legible cartouche. Mechanically excellent.