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 in 1884. Colt had manufactured the original test rifle, but their quoted price per gun and production time were too high. The rifles were ultimately sold off as surplus after trials. Many were damaged and simply sold as scrap. This example has standard markings and features including the crisp "SWP/1884" cartouche on the left side of the butt. A blued socket bayonet, metal scabbard, and leather frog with brass hanger are included.

Very good plus with 20% original blue finish and gray and brown patina on the balance, along with some minor oxidation, light pitting, and scattered scratches. The stock is fine with crisp cartouche, some scattered minor dings and scratches. The most of the blue remains on the bayonet and scabbard, there is aged patina on the hanger, and the leather has minor flaking and cracking. Mechanically excellent.