This rifle appears similar to the 300 Model 1879 Lee rifles that were part of the first U.S. Navy contract, but is not navy inspected. In 1880, the U.S. Navy contracted with James Paris Lee of Bridgeport, Connecticut for 300 full stock .45-70 caliber rifles of the type patented in 1879 by Lee. The Lee Arms Company was formed, and handed the actual manufacturing of the contract over to Sharps Rifle Company. Sharps went bankrupt in 1881 and handed all the unfinished receivers, parts and tools over to Remington, who completed the guns for the Navy contract. Blade/stud front sight and 1,300 yard buckhorn folding ladder rear sight with an "R" marked on the left of the base and "N" marked on the ladder. The top of the left receiver rail is marked "THE LEE ARMS Co. BRIDGEPORT CONN. U.S.A./PATENTED NOV. 4th 1879" followed by a Henry Nettleton "HN" inspection mark. "HN" is also marked on the left of the breech end of the barrel, right of trigger, ahead of the magazine well, and underside of the extractor. Left wrist of the stock marked with a circled script "HN" cartouche. The magazine is an early flat sided version. Fitted with a slotted cleaning rod. This rifle was originally part of the Remington factory museum collection, with the underside of the buttstock wearing a brass tag marked with inventory number "411". Includes a US socket bayonet, scabbard, frog, and period leather sling. Provenance: The George Moller Collection