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Exceptional Model 1883 Winchester-Hotchkiss Bolt Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Exceptional Model 1883 Winchester-Hotchkiss Bolt Action Rifle
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Estimate: $4000 - 6000
This Winchester-Hotchkiss 3rd Model Bolt Action Rifle was manufactured between 1883 and 1899. The rifle has the distinctive two-piece stock. The rifle has a color casehardened receiver, trigger guard and buttplate, blued cocking piece, barrel and barrel bands and oil-finished walnut stock and forearm. The barrel has a block-mounted front sight with steel blade and a military, tangent rear sight. The forearm cap has a bar for a sword or knife bayonet; the bar fills the tip of the cleaning rod channel and the rifle is not fitted with the cleaning rod found on rifles that mount a socket bayonet. (This adaptation was made for a specific order for a militia or guard unit) The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS Co. NEW HAVEN. CONN.-" in two lines ahead of the lower barrel band. The caliber "45-70" is marked on the top of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. "-MODEL OF 1883-" is roll-stamped on the upper tang with foliate devices on either side of the marking. The serial number "81241" is stamped on the lower receiver just ahead of the trigger guard. The B.B. Hotchkiss 1860-1877 patent dates are stamped in three lines on the trigger guard finial behind the trigger guard. The heel of the buttplate is numbered "246". The rifle lacks the proof and inspection markings found on Winchester-Hotchkiss rifles that were purchased by the Ordnance Department.
BBL: 28 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 45-70
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 81241
Condition: Excellent plus. The barrel, barrel bands and cocking piece retain 99% of the original blue finish. The receiver and trigger guard have 99% of the original casehardened finish with vivid case colors. There is some minor storage wear on the buttplate and one small spot of rust on the lower rear receiver. The bolt body is bright. The barrel and receiver markings are crisp. The stock and forearm are in excellent plus condition with no handling wear and only a few scattered, minor storage marks. This is a nearly new example of a 3rd Model Winchester-Hotchkiss Bolt Action Rifle that would be very difficult to improve upon.