Its main goal was to combine the carbine and rifle into a single arm which they called the "short rifle" (a concept which the U.S. Army would not accept until the adoption of the M1903 Springfield).
It was hoped that this one single arm could then supply the needs of the infantry, cavalry, and artillery.
Two versions were made, one with a full stock and a cleaning rod like the standard rifle, and another with a triangular ramrod bayonet similar to the one that had been used on the Springfield Model 1880.
The rifle failed to impress military commanders, and was not seen as an improvement on existing arms.
Development of a single rifle for all infantry, cavalry, and artillery units would continue with the Springfield Model 1886 carbine.