Frank W. Freund immigrated from Germany in 1857 and worked at Remington and served in the First New York Engineers during the Civil War. After the war, he and his younger brother George worked as gunsmiths and retailers in the American West. Their "Sportmen's Depot" initially followed Pacific Railroad's end of the line as it moved westward and then relocated multiple times. General George Crook used and broke the stock of a Freund rifle during the famous Big Horn Expedition. The brothers ended their partnership in 1880, and Frank Freund returned to the East in 1885 where he continued to work as a gunsmith, including for Theodore Roosevelt for whom he built two custom rifles. An included letter from Freund Bros. to J.R. Davis of Rock Creek, Wyoming, on September 6, 1880, discusses another rifle. This rifle was manufactured c. 1880-1885 and features his detachable pistol grip patented on October 18, 1875, and the "More Light" diamond shaped opening on the Model 1869 rear sight notches patented jointly with his brother on June 29, 1880. The dovetailed front sight is likely covered by his April 17, 1877, patent for improved front sights that work well in both bright and dark environments. The barrel has a rib added below with ferrules for holding the cleaning rod, "F.W. FREUND/CHEYANNE W.T." (sic) on top between the barrel band and rear sight, and "CALIBRE 50 GOV'T" on the left. The other markings are standard for the Model 1869 including a cartouche on the left stock flat. The stock has been cut back to a half stock and fitted with a pewter forend cap and the pistol grip noted above. There is also an adjustment screw fitted behind the trigger. It is fitted with a black leather sling marked "3/16." A powder horn, frontier style hunting pouch with tooth and bead accents, and an ammunition pouch containing a box marked "CAL..50" and "GOVT." are included.

Good as period customized with gray and brown patina, mild oxidation, a few divots in the butt, and mild overall wear. Mechanically excellent. The accessories are fair with moderate to heavy wear. This is a very interesting late 19th century Indian Wars era sporting rifle customized by one of the most talented gunmakers of the American frontier.