Manufactured in 1891. The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle as chambered in .22 Short when received in the warehouse on February 23, 1891, and shipped the next day and returned and repaired on March 1, 1895, June 28, 1904, and September 11, 1909 (the rifle retains all 1891 production features, so work probably was performed on the mechanism). Dovetail blade front and notch rear sights on a barrel with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and "22 SHORT" at the breech. The upper tang has the three-line model/patent dates marking. The three digit serial number is marked on the lower tang. Solid frame, 12-groove round forearm and smooth straight grip stock with crescent buttplate. The barrel, magazine tube and bolt are blue, and the remaining surfaces are casehardened.

Fine. The barrel, magazine tube and bolt retain 40% faded original blue finish thinning to a brown. The hammer, frame and trigger guard retain 50% original case colors, and the buttplate has a mixed gray patina. The wood is very fine with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Writer cannot recall a finer early production three digit 1890!