Original item: One of a Kind. Over the years, IMA has purchased many collections and groups of antique guns, in which case we need to take all of them, as we did in Nepal. While these collections were generally full of guns that relatively good condition, they also had some that were less complete and unfortunately would take more restoration time than we were able to give them. We kept them in storage, possibly for future products, but have now decided to offer these "As Found" antique firearms to our customers as restoration projects. These are all original and as we received them, except for cleaning the dirt and grime off the exterior.

Please note that these are still real antique guns, and are being sold in "As is" condition at a significant discount from what they would sell at if we were to fully restore them. We will do our best to photograph and describe them and know that our customers will know exactly what they are getting. Some of these, such as this example, look to have possibly been project or parts guns, and are missing a significant amount of parts. These are being sold in "Grade 2" condition, and on these ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

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 rifle has a 28 3/4 inch barrel, which indicates that this is one of the rifles purchased by the U.S. Navy, as the U.S. Army and Militias had a 32 1/4 inch barrel. It has the two lever magazine cutoff on the top of the receiver, so it is a "Second Model", one of 999 purchased by the Navy in 1880 and 1881.

This carbine is marked with serial number 5281 on the top side of the receiver, which according to records indicates manufacturer in 1879. Listed below this is the voluminous manufacturer and patent information:

This M1879 Navy rifle is fitted with a tubular butt magazine, which is capable of holding 5 rounds. The rear sight is a standard ramp sight, very similar to the second pattern used on the Springfield Trapdoor model 1873, and it is marked R on the left side to indicate that it is for the rifle. There are also proof marks on various components, including a group on the barrel, standard for U.S. Navy examples, which reads:

W.W.K.
U.S.
(Anchor)

There are various HN inspection marks on components, and the breech end of the barrel is marked with the V / P / "Eagle's Head", seen on Springfield arms of the time.

 Condition Notes:
- Overall condition shows light oxidation on the metalwork, with some areas of past pitting / water marks, now cleaned away
- Bore is in EXCELLENT condition, with little sign of ever being used.
- Magazine feed system does not appear to be operational.
- Original hardware was stripped from the rifle. The barrel bands and trigger guard were replaced with bent sheet copper replicas.
- Original cleaning rod was replaced with a brass rod.
- Stock is in good condition, but does show some damage. There is a large chunk missing on the rear right next to the receiver.

A very nice Grade 2 "As Found" example of a hard to find military rifle, an example of a rare magazine feed system. This could also be the start of a great restoration project, or parts for another!

Please make sure to look at all the high resolution (2000x2000) pictures before purchasing, as ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1879
Caliber: .45-70 "Government"
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 48 1/2 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.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. 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.