Only 753 of these were manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1884, making this model one of the rarest manufactured by the armory. These rifles are based on designs by General J. N. Reece (often misspelled Reese) and Reuben Chaffee, and were approved for production and field use by the Ordnance Department in 1882 for testing alongside the Lee and Hotchkiss bolt action magazine rifles. The rifles were sold as surplus after trials, with many being damaged and simply sold as scrap. Boxed script "SWP/1884" inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the butt.

Fine, retaining 80% plus original blue finish with some light muzzle wear from bayonet mounting, traces of original case colors remaining on the receiver and bolt with mostly a smooth silver gray patina, some patches of light freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Stock is very fine, with defined edges, a re-glued crack behind the receiver, some scattered light scratches and dings, and a crisp cartouche. The magazine does not properly feed, otherwise mechanically fine.