Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good service used example of the U.S. Navy Contract Remington-Lee Model 1885 Magazine Rifle, chambered in .45-70 Government and manufactured by Remington Arms Company at Ilion, New York. It bears both Remington serial number 51086 and U.S. Navy inventory number 1952, placing it squarely within the first major Navy contract for Model 1885 rifles. The receiver ring retains the desirable U.S.N., anchor, and W.W.K. markings for Navy inspector Lieutenant William W. Kimball, giving this rifle a direct and readily identifiable connection to late 19th century U.S. naval service.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Remington-Lee was one of the most important early American military bolt action designs and represented a major step toward the detachable box magazine rifle that would become standard throughout the world. Its designer, James Paris Lee, was born in Scotland and eventually established himself as one of the most influential firearms designers of the late 19th century. His detachable magazine and bolt action concepts would later play a central role in the development of the British Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield rifles.

The U.S. military experimented with Lee rifles well before adopting the Krag-Jørgensen in 1892. Earlier Model 1879 rifles were acquired by the Navy, while the Army purchased 750 Model 1882 rifles for field trials. The improved Model 1885 retained the detachable box magazine and rear locking bolt system but incorporated a revised bolt head and extractor arrangement. The U.S. Navy became the principal American military user of the Model 1885, eventually acquiring approximately 3,400 rifles through a series of contracts between 1888 and 1894.

The first major Navy Model 1885 contract was placed in August 1888 for 1,610 rifles and was soon increased to 1,650 rifles. These were delivered in 1889 and carried two separate numbering systems: a Remington factory serial number and a U.S. Navy inventory number. Rifles from this contract were assigned Navy numbers 1001 through 2650.

This example is marked on the front of the receiver ring:

U. S. N.
⚓
No 1952
W. W. K.

The U.S.N. and anchor clearly identify U.S. Navy ownership, while W.W.K. represents Lieutenant William W. Kimball, the naval officer responsible for inspecting these rifles. Navy number 1952 falls comfortably within the first 1,650 rifle contract.

The receiver also carries the Remington manufacturer's marking:

REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, ILION, N.Y. U.S.A.
SOLE MANUFACTURERS AND AGENTS

together with the Lee patent marking:

PATENTED NOV. 4th 1879

Remington factory serial number:

51086

is stamped on the top of the receiver. The documented Remington serial range for the first Navy Model 1885 contract runs approximately from 50005 through 51918, making serial 51086 entirely appropriate for Navy number 1952.

The rear left portions of the barrel and receiver also carry five pointed star inspection marks containing the letter:

H

These are additional factory or inspection markings associated with production. We have not identified their exact individual inspector or meaning with enough confidence to expand upon them further.

The Model 1885 was chambered for the standard U.S. military .45-70 Government cartridge and used Lee's detachable box magazine. The magazine can be removed from the bottom of the action by operating the release immediately forward of the trigger guard. This system was decades ahead of the fixed and tubular magazines still common on military rifles during the 1880s and represents one of the design concepts that would ultimately make James Paris Lee famous.

The Model 1885 Navy rifles were furnished with military furniture closely patterned after contemporary Springfield equipment. This example retains the lower sling swivel near the trigger guard and the forward barrel band with both sling swivel and separate stacking swivel. The cleaning rod is also present and has the correct general profile, although the threaded end is now missing and it can no longer perform its original retaining function.

The present rear sight is a stepped Springfield style military sight with four elevation steps. Navy number 1952 falls within the range of early Model 1885 rifles that were originally equipped with the Model 1879 pattern R-L marked buckhorn rear sight. Navy rifles up through approximately number 2540 are documented with that earlier sight, while numbers 2541 through 2650 were fitted with the later Buffington rear sight. Unless additional markings on this sight establish otherwise, the present stepped sight therefore appears to be a later service or replacement installation. Its slider is also missing the retaining backing piece and can come off the sight if moved too far.

The rifle remains in very good service used condition and has developed a pleasing mottled gray military patina. Most of the exposed original finish has faded through age, handling, oxidation, and repeated cleaning, leaving scattered peppering and staining but no major active rust blooms or extensive deep pitting. The overall appearance is completely consistent with a rifle that experienced a long period of military use and subsequent storage.

The American black walnut stock remains solid and presents very well. It shows staining together with numerous dents, dings, scratches, gouges, and handling marks accumulated through long service, but we do not see any major structural cracks, large graft repairs, or other serious wood damage.

The bolt action cycles correctly during careful manual inspection and gives a strong dry fire. The detachable magazine releases correctly from the bottom of the receiver. We have not tested the rifle with cartridges and therefore cannot confirm magazine feeding, extraction, or ejection under ammunition.

The bore is in very good service used condition, with clearly defined rifling and a mostly bright interior. There is some overall wear together with traces of old oxidation in the grooves, but the lands and grooves remain strong and readily visible. It is a very respectable bore for a late 19th century .45-70 military rifle that saw genuine service.

With its documented first contract serial range, U.S.N. No. 1952, W.W.K. inspection marking, Remington serial number 51086, detachable Lee magazine, complete Navy style sling and stacking hardware, strong action, and very good bore, this is an especially desirable example of the U.S. Navy Model 1885 Remington-Lee. It represents an important transitional stage between the single shot Springfield Trapdoor and the modern detachable magazine bolt action service rifle, making it an excellent addition to a collection of U.S. Navy arms, early bolt action rifles, .45-70 military firearms, Remington rifles, or developmental predecessors of the Lee-Enfield.

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1885-1892
Maker: Remington & Sons
Model: 1885 Remington-Lee Magazine Rifle - Navy Contract
Serial No.: 51086
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 52 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action Magazine Repeater
Feed System: 5-Round Box Magazine
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

More on the Remington-Lee Model 1885

The M1885 Remington–Lee (also known as the M1885 Lee, and "Navy M1885") is a bolt-action, box magazine repeating rifle designed principally by James Paris Lee.

It first appeared in 1879, manufactured by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company. Eventually Remington took over production and produced copies in .45-70. Arguably the most modern rifle in the world until the introduction of the 8 mm smokeless powder using Lebel M1886 rifle, the Lee utilized the first successful detachable box magazine, unlike the Lebel which still used a tube magazine.

The design was incorporated by the British into the Lee–Metford and Lee–Enfield rifles, thereby becoming one of the most widely used rifle designs of the 20th century. Remington's version of the Model 1879 saw only limited use by the U.S. Navy and the Model 1882 was tested by U.S. Army and issued on a very limited scale. Ultimately, it was passed up in favor of the Krag–Jørgensen in 1892.

New Zealand purchased 500 for its militia in 1887. These were chambered in Remington's .43 Spanish (11.15×58mmR) caliber. These were quickly replaced after complaints about ammunition quality.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.