Guns International #: 101843464

Category - Winchester Rifles - Antique Bolt - Springfield Rifles - Antique

Category
Winchester Rifles - Antique Bolt
Springfield Rifles - Antique

RARE  HISTORICAL U.S. CONTRACT WINCHESTER/SPRINGFIELD 2ND. MODEL HOTCHKISS .45-70 SADDLE RING CARBINE

Description:
EXTREMELY RARE  HISTORICAL U.S. CONTRACT 2ND. MODEL HOTCHKISS .45-70 SADDLE RING CARBINE, #12XXX, MADE 1881, WITH FACTORY LETTER. There is a great deal of information about the 2nd. Model Hotchkiss Carbine in Bruce Canfields excellent book U. S. MILITARY BOLT ACTION RIFLES. In the section on these carbines is a wealth of information and correspondence from the field concerning these arms. Apparently only about 400-600 were produced  by a collaboration of Winchester and Springfield. Many were issued to the 4th Cavalry under Co. Randal Mackenzie where they saw considerable combat with the Apache in New Mexico. He complained about breaking "40-50 gun stocks per month" and Springfield had to send a load of replacement stocks for these carbines. I believe this example has such a replacement stock as it does not have a cartouche, but does have a small "U" stamped behind the lower tang. The stocks on all Hotchkiss rifles and carbines are almost always cracked or broken at the wrist because the magazine tube runs through the stock to the butt plate. If the action is lifted out of the stock before the butt plate is removed and the steel magazine tube is also removed, the stock will crack at the wrist. It is rare to find a Hotchkiss of any model with a solid, un-cracked stock. The Cody/Winchester letter indicates that this serial number was a Carbine received in the warehouse on April 29, 1881 and shipped the same day along with "approximately 189 other carbines with the same specifications to the same order number. Various dates in April for the entire shipment." This is an outstanding example that has the correct nickel plated brass forend tip that opens to hold two cleaning rods- that are intact. The stock is excellent+ and if you look carefully you can see two tiny tack holes on the right rear side that probably held a brass identification or rack number plate. The nickel plating on the brass forend cap shows only thinning/peeling on the sides with the balance intact. the barrel shows aged blue with normal wear and has the correct U S and VP  with eagle head inspector stampings at the breech end. There is also the correct "H.N." inspector stamps for Henry Nettleton on various parts of the bolt, safety lever and cut-off lever as well as on the receiver top over the Winchester markings on the side of the receiver. There is good blue on the receiver, trigger guard and butt plate. The rear sight is correctly marked "H.C." for Hotchkiss Carbine and is secured by two original slotless screws. The bore is bright and excellent. The bolt is a little slow to go forward with the trigger is pulled which may be that it is just gummed with old grease or has a weak spring. These are scarce and this is one of the best I've seen. Interestingly, there is a photo of one in Herbert Houze's book WINCHESTER BOLT ACTION MILITARY AND SPORTING RIFLES 1877-1937 that is only 17 numbers away from this one. The books show great historical photos of cavalry soldiers holding these carbines with Indians. Lots of Western history in this rare carbine.

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: WINCHESTER/SPRINGFIELD
Model: HOTCHKISS SRC
Serial Number: 12XXX
Barrel Length: 24
Condition: FINE+
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT