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Fine U.S. Army Contract Winchester-Hotchkiss Model 1883 Army Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Fine U.S. Army Contract Winchester-Hotchkiss Model 1883 Army Rifle
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Fine U.S. Army Contract Winchester-Hotchkiss Model 1883 Army Rifle

This is a very fine example of a U.S. Winchester Model 1883 Third Model Bolt Action Army Rifle. This rifle was originally designed by Benjamin Hotchkiss in 1875-76, who later sold the patent rights to Winchester in 1877. This was Winchester's first attempt at producing Bolt Action repeating rifle, and it featured a unique, turn bolt action design with an internal tubular magazine, that was loaded under the bolt. These third models can be easily distinguished from the earlier model by the two-piece stock. This example is an early third model and it is estimated that approximately 100 were made for the U.S. Army. The rear of the lower tang is marked in three lines with "PAT. OCT. 16. 1860 JUNE 25. 1872. JULY 23. 1876." /"AND UNDER B.B. HOTCHKISS' PAT'S AUG.17.1869"/"FEB.15.1870.NOV.9. 1875.NOV.14. 1876. JAN.23.1877.". The upper tang is marked "MODEL OF 1883 ". The forward, underside area of the recover is stamped with serial number "23927". The top of the barrel is marked "---MANUFACTURED BY THE---" /" ---WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.---". The breech end of the barrel is stamped with "U.S" over the circled "VP" Verified Proof stamp of the Winchester factory, over the initials "D.F.C." for David F. Clark the U.S. Ordnance inspector. The left side of the receiver has the same "U.S./D.F.C." stamped. It has a fixed front sight with an 1879 rear sight graduated to 1000 meters with range markings on the side of the base and the face of the ladder. It has the two-piece walnut forend and buttstock with a smooth casehardened butt plate. The left side of the buttstock has a boxed "H.a." cartouche with a script "P" firing proof behind the trigger guard. It has all blued parts with a bright polish bolt body with a blued bolt handle and safety lug with a casehardened receiver and lower tang/trigger guard assembly.

Manufacture: Winchester
Model: 1883
BBL: 28 1/2 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45-70
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 23927

Very fine condition with 85% of the original blued finish overall with blue loss on the front end of the barrel from where a bayonet was installed along with some minor wear down the right side of the barrel, in front of the first barrel band. The receiver retains 75% of it case colors slightly fading overall, due to handling and age. The stock and forend are both in very fine condition with a nice clear distinct cartouche with minor handling marks and scratches on the sides of the buttstock with a couple of heavier gouges on the left side of the forend. The heel and toe of the buttplate does show some minor oxidation overall.