Manufactured in 1878. This rifle has the scarce first model receiver without any provisions for the dust cover, thus giving the name open top. Dust covers started to appear around serial number 1600, usually only on special orders by the customer and later, by serial number 3200 they were a regular feature on the rifle. With this late of a serial number, this was probably a special order that requested it not be fitted with the dust cover. The included Cody Firearm Records Office serial number verification lists this rifle with a round barrel, plain trigger, Vernier and windage sights and short magazine when it was received in the warehouse on August 23, 1878, and shipped the next day. The rifle has non-factory post front sight, elevation adjustable rear sight, special order half magazine and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate with trapdoor (cleaning rod not included). The comb and buttplate have provisions for a now removed sight. The barrel nor the cartridge elevator are marked with any caliber markings. The barrel has the two-line address/patent dates markings, the upper tang is marked "MODEL 1876," and the serial number is marked on the lower tang.

Good. The rifle has a mottled gray patina with limited traces of original blue finish and case colors in the protected areas of the bottom of frame. There is some minor pitting mostly on the left side plate. The wood is fair with a large chunk of wood missing from the forearm (right side), a small hairline crack in the wrist and numerous minor pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically fine.