Original U.S. Winchester Hotchkiss First Model .45-70 Bolt-Action Saddle Ring Carbine - Circa 1880

Original Item: Only One Available. The Winchester Hotchkiss was a bolt-action repeating rifle patented by Benjamin B. Hotchkiss in 1876 and produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Springfield Armory from 1878. The Hotchkiss, like most early bolt-actions, had a single rear locking lug integral with the bolt handle, but was unique in feeding multiple rounds from a tubular buttstock magazine similar to the Spencer rifle. The .45-70 Hotchkiss was acquired in limited numbers by the US Navy as the M1879, and (in a slightly modified version) by the US Army and several state militias as the M1883, making it the first center-fire bolt-action repeater to be adopted by any major military.

Initially the U.S. Government ordered just 1,474 Rifles and only 500 Carbines for Cavalry use. The system was never a great success and as a result examples are now hard to find.  This carbine has a 24 inch barrel, which is the second variation seen, as earlier models had a 22 1/2 barrel. We checked left top of the receiver, where there would usually be a serial number, but there is not one present. That area is a bit rough so it may have been removed long ago when sold out of service. Listed on the left side of the receiver is the voluminous manufacturer and patent information:

MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.
PATENTED OCT.16.1860. JUNE.25.1872. JULY.23.1878. AND UNDER
B.B. HOTCHKISS' PAT'S AUG.17.1869 FEB.15.1870. NOV.9.1875. NOV.14.1876. JAN.23.1877.

This saddle Ring Carbine is fitted with a tubular butt magazine, which is capable of holding 5 rounds. On the right hand side of the stock just behind the bolt is a rotating switch that acts as a safety or cut-off to the tubular magazine, which identifies this as a "First Model" carbine. The knob weakened the stock and was replaced by two levers atop the receiver on Hotchkiss Second Model Rifles and Carbines, which were produced after 1880. That means that this example was made before that, and is definitely considered a Pre-1899 Antique Firearm by the BATF.

Our example has been fully cleaned and is in really good condition, all complete with the rear and front sights. It has a nice cavalry saddle-ring attached to the left side of the carbine. The stock has the expected dings and scratches from age and use, and a partial crack at the left wrist, which were common due to the amount of wood removed for the magazine cutoff safety. There is also a crack on the butt stock by the lower toe, probably caused by the lower screw. The bore is in very good condition, with a partly bright finish and clear lands and grooves. It does show some wear and oxidation, so this definitely does look to have seen some level of use.

A hard to find military Saddle Ring Carbine, ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1880
Caliber: .45-70 "Government"
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 24 Inches
Overall Length: 43 3/4 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action Repeating Rifle
Feed System: 5-round tube magazine

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.