This rifle was manufactured around mid-1874 and was later converted into a .50-70 sporting rifle in the period. The conversion was likely done by the Whitney Arms Co. as part of the 300 trapdoors they altered for Hartley & Graham of New York in 1883. The horn insert in the forend and the rear sight are both the correct style for Whitney Trapdoor Sporters. It also features a golden Beach combination front sight, "50 CAL 70 GRS" on top behind the rear sight, standard Model 1873 action and lock, checkered forend and wrist, and trapdoor buttplate (empty).

Very good as period customized to sporter configuration with blue finish on the barrel, light original case colors mixed with mottled gray patina on the action and lock, and mottled brown patina on the buttplate. The stock has scattered small dents and scratches, light handling wear, generally crisp checkering, and a small sliver repaired by the horn insert. Mechanically excellent. Overall a very solid example of frontier sporting rifle.