Approximately 6,900 of these military rifles were manufactured between 1878-1881, making them the bulk of the roughly 8,700 Model 1878 rifles manufactured in total. They were purchased by a variety of state governments, the National Rifle Association, and the governments of China and some South American countries. It has a military style blade/bayonet stud front sight, adjustable notch and folding ladder rear sight, sling swivels on the front barrel band and bottom of the action, the Old Reliable marking and Bridgeport address on top near the breech, no visible caliber markings, and standard patent and address markings on the left side of the action. A circled cartouche containing what appears to be a backwards "B" is on the left of the buttstock.

Very fine, retaining 85% plus original blue finish with some handling marks and sharp markings. Breech block and lever turned to a smooth gray patina with strong traces of case colors in protected areas. Wood is fine with some scattered light scratches, a hairline crack on the underside of the forend ahead of the frame, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.