Manufactured in 1885. Third Model with the dust cover rail integral with the top of the receiver. The top barrel flat ahead of the rear sight is marked with the two line address/King's improvement patent dates and "40-60" at the breech. The upper tang is marked "{MODEL. 1876.}", the serial number is on the lower tang and the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is marked "40-60". The right side of the stock has an inset oval brass plaque inscribed "PRESENTED/BY/R.A. Castleman/TO/J. Hunter/Dec. 25, 1885". A "R. A. Castleman" is listed as a reverend at a church in Westmoreland in the Journal of the Proceedings of a Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church from 1886. Other period sources also not him preaching in other Virginian communities including small communities without proper churches. In these instances he spoke to the congregation in tents and other temporary shelters until a church could be built. The barrel is fitted with a dovetailed German silver blade front sight and an adjustable semi buckhorn rear sight. Full length magazine tube, blue finish with casehardened hammer, lever and buttplate, and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with a metal forend cap and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate with compartment, (cleaning rod not included). The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, caliber, octagon barrel, plain trigger, that it was received in the warehouse on October 10, 1885 and shipped out to order number 1357 the same day.
Very fine as partially refinished (wood). The barrel retains 85% plus original blue finish with some mild edge wear and some light spotting on the left flat at the forearm. The magazine tube has a smooth gray patina with hints of thin original blue finish in protected areas. The receiver retains 75% thinning original blue finish with scattered flaking and wear. Most of the original bright case colors remain on the hammer and there are strong original case colors showing on the lever, which has a smooth mottled gray patina. The buttplate has a smooth mottled gray patina. The revarnished wood is very good overall. The stock has been refinished and retains 99% of the varnish, and shows a few very minor dings and scratches. The forearm shows a few minor dents and handling marks. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is fine.
There are currently no customer product questions on this lot