Manufactured in 1898 and marked with the "KSM/1898" cartouche of inspector Kelley S. Morse on the left side of the wrist, "K.S.M." inspector marks, "U.S." on the receiver at the breech, the two-line model designation on the upper tang and the serial number on the lower tang. Only 10,000 were produced under U.S. government contract while 293,816 were sold to the Russian government. After issues with the first 100 rifles delivered, the balance of the contract was sold to a dealer in New York, who in turn, sold most to Cuba. This example has a pinned blade front sight, military style ladder rear sight, standard musket stock with handguard and trapdoor buttplate. Comes with a brass collection tag reading, "F.W. ROEBLING III/COLLECTION/TRENTON, N.J./217."

Very good, retaining 30% original blue finish with a mixture of mottled gray patina and thinning to brown on the balance. There are numerous scattered patches of minor pitting/spotting. The wood is also very good with minor dings and scratches and a legible cartouche. Mechanically excellent.