These rifles are based on designs by General J. N. Reece (commonly misspelled Reese) and Reuben Chaffee and approved for production and field use by the Ordnance Department in 1882 for testing alongside the Lee and Hotchkiss rifles. Only 753 were manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1884. Colt manufactured the original test rifle. The rifles were ultimately sold off as surplus after trials. Many were damaged and simply sold as scrap. This example has standard markings and features including the crisp "SWP/1884" cartouche on the left side of the butt. Cleaning rod absent. Includes a blued socket bayonet.

Very fine with 75% original blue finish overall, 60% plus original case colors, some minor spotting and patina forming, wear at the heel, and some scrapes and dings on the metal and otherwise fine wood. The bayonet is also very fine and retains nearly all of the original blue finish and has some slight specks of oxidation. The magazine function has not been tested, but the main action is mechanically excellent.