This rare U.S. martial rifle rates about fine for condition, with the metal excellent with 80 percent or better beautiful blue and sharp markings, and the wood only a bit under that in showing some scattered handling marks. The late 1860s and early 1870s were a prime period for experimentation in new military arms. The Lee Vertical Action Rifle was in .45-70 caliber, the established army caliber, and used a dropping breech block action much like the Martini-Henry. The 32 5/8 inch barrel is secured by two barrel bands, is fitted to take a standard socket bayonet, and uses an 1873 trapdoor style rear sight and cleaning rod. The lower sling swivel and upper sling and stacking swivels are in place as well.

The blued finish is near excellent on all metal. The color shows a little rubbing at the muzzle, likely from a bayonet and the lower sling swivel shows some rubbing from a sling. The upper and lower tangs show some rubbing as natural contact points in holding the rifle and the outside of the triggerguard tang shows some rubbing on the left and one tiny brown spot. The upper tang shows a clear “U.S.” behind the hammer and “PAT. MAR. 16 1875” lengthwise, just slightly rubbed from handling, closer to the screw. The buttplate tangs shows a “US” under a small “C.” The wood has great color has a tight fit all round and shows a crisp “ESA” inspector cartouche on the left side and an equally sharp “P” firing proof below the lower triggerguard tang. Just above the upper triggerguard tang are two shallow divots indicating the rifle may have been in rack with a locking bar. There are a couple of pressure dents on the right forestock between the bands and three more small ones near the cleaning rod channel, a couple of scratches on the butt flats and a small check an inch or so below the ESA cartouche.

These rifles are serial numbered internally and we have not taken this one apart, but Flayderman notes that funds appropriated for their manufacture at Springfield under the supervision of inventor James P. Lee ran out after just 143 had been made. This is an extremely rare U.S. military rifle in exceptionally nice condition. [sr] [ph:L]

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