The factory letter lists this rifle as serial numbered on September 10, 1889, and as a rifle in .32 caliber with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, Lyman sights, no rear sight seat on the barrel, casehardened finish, and "Jos. Lepari, Taxarkana, Texas [sic]" engraved on the top of the barrel and as received in the warehouse on September 14, 1889, and shipped in order 1622 on September 16, 1889. The top of the barrel is inscribed "Joseph Lipari. Texarkana, Texas." between the two-line address and King's improvement patent marking and the "32 W.C.F." caliber marking. Genealogical records and discussions indicated Joseph Lipari was born in Palermo on the Isle of Sicily in 1843, fought with Giuseppe Garibaldi, likely in the Third Italian War of Independence, came to Texas in the early 1870s, owned a restaurant in Texarkana. Period publications reference "Joe Lipari" and "Joseph Lipari" also as an early settler of Texarkana (pre-1888), a dog breeder and owner of Texas Kennels in Texarkana, and as the owner of a "wholesale and retail liquor house"/saloon in Mexia, Texas. He died in 1938 and is buried in Texarkana. The rifle has a Lyman hunting front sight (bead absent), no rear sight dovetail, the Third Model integral dust cover guide rail, an adjustable Lyman peep sight on the upper tang, plain trigger, deluxe pistol grip stock and forearm with style H checkering and a varnished finish, a contrasting insert in the grip, standard rifle forearm cap, and solid buttplate.

Very fine with 8% plus original blue finish, 60% plus original niter blue on the loading gate, 50% of the original fading colors, flashes of vibrant case colors in the protected areas, spots of minor oxidation, and general mild wear. The wood is fine and has nice figure, mostly crisp checkering, and moderate handling wear. Mechanically excellent.