Technically an August purchase, but I havent had a chance to take pictures until now. Also not technically military, but developed for the US military so what the hell. I got a Winchester-Hotchkiss 1883 saddle ring carbine, also refered to as a 3rd Model. The Winchester-Hotchkiss was developped for US military repeating rifle trials after the Little Bighorn, and all models developped were issued for field trials, but only the 1st and 2nd (which were made at Springfield) were issued as carbines for cavalry use. The 3rd model was made exclusively by Winchester, and was trialled by the US military, but only in rifle configuration. Therefore this would have been sold commercially, and the serial dates it to 1890, after the trials were concluded.
It's a very interesting rifle, in .45-70, with a 5 shot tube magazine in the butt loaded through the action. The large switch on the right of the receiver is the safety, and there's an identical magazine cutoff switch on the left. The rifle can only function properly if you load the magazine and then one directly in the chamber, as the firing pin moving forward is actually what releases a fresh round from the mag. Although mine's in rough external condition, it's got a surprisingly bright and sharp bore, and the magazine feeds flawlessly. It's a hoot to shoot!
Technically an August purchase, but I havent had a chance to take pictures until now. Also not technically military, but developed for the US military so what the hell. I got a Winchester-Hotchkiss 1883 saddle ring carbine, also refered to as a 3rd Model. The Winchester-Hotchkiss was developped for US military repeating rifle trials after the Little Bighorn, and all models developped were issued for field trials, but only the 1st and 2nd (which were made at Springfield) were issued as carbines for cavalry use. The 3rd model was made exclusively by Winchester, and was trialled by the US military, but only in rifle configuration. Therefore this would have been sold commercially, and the serial dates it to 1890, after the trials were concluded.
It's a very interesting rifle, in .45-70, with a 5 shot tube magazine in the butt loaded through the action. The large switch on the right of the receiver is the safety, and there's an identical magazine cutoff switch on the left. The rifle can only function properly if you load the magazine and then one directly in the chamber, as the firing pin moving forward is actually what releases a fresh round from the mag. Although mine's in rough external condition, it's got a surprisingly bright and sharp bore, and the magazine feeds flawlessly. It's a hoot to shoot!
