This is one of only 1,001 Model 1880 experimental rifles manufactured approximately April-June of 1881. This rifle was the first serious attempt at adopting the ramrod-bayonet by the U.S. military, which was received negatively, as were almost all attempts that followed all the way up to the early Model 1903s. This rifle has standard Springfield Armory markings and features, faint cartouche on the stock, and "US" marked buttplate.