Thanks for the replies guys. I knew that figuring out its exact history would be a shot in the dark...figured I try anyway, you never know. I'm really more concerned about the "Springfield Model 1883" on the side by the hammer, but a S/N that puts it in the early 1870's (at least from what I can tell on the chart I looked at). In order for me to get this, its gonna require me to trade in a couple surplus rifles (including a Yugoicon capture K98kicon) for it. I just want to make sure the price is justified...which is looking to be the case.