^Lot 1317 Exceptional U.S. Inspected Winchester Third Model Hotchkiss Rifle

This is a superb example of a desirable U.S. inspected Winchester 1883 Third Model bolt action rifle. This rifle was originally designed by Benjamin Hotchkiss and featured a turn bolt action design with a tubular magazine that loaded under the bolt. He sold the patent rights to Winchester in 1877 and this was Winchester's first attempt at producing and marketing a bolt action rifle. These third models can be easily distinguished from the earlier models by the two-piece stock. The underside of the rear tang has the three line patent marking "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." On the upper receiver tang is marked "MODEL OF 1883 " and the forward area of the recover in front of the trigger guard has the serial number. The top center section of the barrel is marked "---MANUFACTURED BY THE---/---WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.---" and the left rear section of the barrel is marked "U.S./VP/D.F.C." The rear sight is graduated 1,200 yards with range markings 1 through 4 on the left side of the base. The left side of the receiver is marked "U.S./D.F.C." and the bolt is marked "D.F.C." The rifle has a blue finish with casehardened receiver and trigger guard. A D.F.C. cartouche is stamped on the right side of the stock wrist with another cartouche on the left side of the wrist. There is a script "P" stamped behind the trigger guard.
BBL: 28 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45-70
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 28461
Condition: Excellent plus overall. The rifle retains 97% plus original blue finish with rack type wear on the area around the rear barrel band. The receiver and trigger guard retain 98% of the brilliant original case colors. The stock is excellent plus with a missing chip near the buttplate tang. Mechanically excellent.