This weapon is a  single shot, center fire, metallic cartridge, rolling block action rifle of .50 caliber.  The lock is a typical Remington rolling block action, loaded by cocking the hammer and swinging the breech-block backward by the pressure of the thumb on the thumb piece.  The backward motion of the breech-block opens the breech and serves to operate the extractor, and at the same time places the hammer at half-cock, securing it for loading.  With the cartridge inserted, the breech can be closed in one motion and the piece is ready for firing.  10,000 of these rifles were made at the Springfield Armory in 1872.

     Our specimen is marked on the right side of the receiver “US” “ SPRINGFIELD” “1872” in three lines and an eagle.  The bands are marked “U”.  The left side of the receiver is marked “MODEL 1871”. The top of the butt plate is marked “US”.  The tang is marked “REMINGTON’S PATENT” “PAT. MAY 3D NOV 15th 1864 APRIL 17th 1868”.  There is an inspector’s cartouche on the right side of the stock “ESA”.  Witness marks are on the top rear center of the barrel.  The top of the stock near the butt tang is marked “38”.  The bayonet is marked “US”.