The US military experimented almost continuously with new repeating rifles between the end of the US Civil War and the beginning of the 20th century, and the rifles submitted for testing are a fascinating spectrum of ideas. Many were purchased in relatively small quantities for military field testing, and many also saw at least some commercial production (as the manufacturers and inventors sought to recoup development costs when full-scale military contracts proved elusive).
One of these designs was the Winchester-Hotchkiss, which was made in three major iterations. Designed by Benjamin Hotchkiss and manufactured by the Winchester company, it was a bolt action design with a 5-round tube magazine located in the buttstock. As with most military rifles of its era, it was equipped with a magazine cutoff to allow the rifle to be fed single rounds while holding the 5 rounds in the magazine as an emergency reserve. This was a popular mechanism with Army brass in many countries, as it was thought to be a good way to conserve ammunition (and it persisted up through early WWI rifles, including the British SMLE). This cutoff was in fact a major reason the Winchester-Hotchkiss went through several design iterations.
The first (1879) model used a one-piece stock, with the cutoff being a rotating lever above the trigger guard:
That placement of the cutoff resulted in a lot of broken stocks, because so much of the wood was removed. The second model (which was purchased by the Navy but not the Army) moved the cutoff up to be a vertical lever alongside the receiver. It maintained the one-piece stock, though, and apparently still suffered from stock breakage or cracking. The final third model solved this problem by using a two-piece stock with a solid exposed receiver in the center.
In total, 22,521 Winchester-Hotchkiss rifles were made (of all patterns combined). Most of these were commercial sales, although they had a hard time competing against the much more popular lever-action designs of the period. As the period Chief of Ordnance – Brigadier General Stephen Benet – explained:
The principle of the Hotchkiss is a good one, but there seems to be some prejudice existing in our service against the bolt system and its awkward handle that time and custom may overcome.
Prescient words indeed!
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Hello, I have a Hothkiss Winchester which looks like the lower gun in the above photo.
The magazine cutoff switch is missing. Any idea where to either buy one or is there a diagram of what
the internals look like so I could make one?
Hello, still looking for a selector switch for a Winchester Hotchkiss 1st model
like lower rifle, above. Please contact if switch or drawings/diagrams available.
thanks,
bob
Check S & S Firearms- they used to have some Hotchkiss parts
I have a second model winchester-hotchkiss rifle seriel #12778. The cleaning rods are missing, and the barrel band is from the musket style rifle. I am trying to locate original parts for this second model rifle. Can anyone help?
I have two front barrel bands. One has both sling swivel and stacking swivel and is marked with a “U”. The other is a mystery. It is the same shape but larger as if it went on the stock of a carbine at a point where the stock is larger. It has a rount sling swivel on the side and is not marked. they are blue steel with 95% pus original bright blue and were packed together. I have seen the combo stacking swivel and sling swivel on a number of old Springfield and Springfield-Hotchkiss rifles including the Navy model one and twol
Your second model hotchkiss Winchester if navy the ram rod is third variation model 1873 just like the trap door and is 30 3/4 inches long. As far as middle bands try trap door 1873 parts. I have navy model Serial no. 4640. My Winchester hotchkiss rifle is not chambered .45/70 and appears to be a bottle neck cartridge.
Good Luck!
Earl
cuanto andará esa belleza para ti
The top photo is the Hotchkiss Winchester with the magazine cutoff /safety in a rotary knob. The second model separated the cut off from the safety by positioning them in two levers on eyther side of the hammer. I do.t know what the lever on the stock is, but it is not in any of my references for Hotchkiss-Winchester. The first model required a large hole bored through the stock and weakened the stock at that point. Many are cracked.
I have a first model rifle. excellent condition it has a ladder sight on it.. on this sight is the letter H on the very top is this the right sight for this rifle also where can I get the riser that is missing? thx jim
I have a early model with cracked stock like article spoke of are these guns popular for collectors
I hope to find a collector for my Winchester hotchkiss 45/70 carbine first model
I have a 2nd model Winchester Hotchkiss Cal. 45-70. S# 5438. Bbl. shortened to 22″ w/ added front sight slot. No front sight. Model 1879 1200 yd. rifle rear sight. 6 Shot tubular magazine located in butt. Walnut stock w/ steel buttplate is cut to carbine length. Left side of butt has visible “1881” dated cartouche. Where can I get proper ammo for this rifle. What should I be using?
I believe I have an early model Hotchkiss bolt action rifle, with Serial # 1020. Can you tell me anything about it? Value? Etc.
Very good interesting information. Thanks for sharing.
I need some help. I have a 1883 Hotchkiss sporting rifle in 45-70. Iam looking for a new or used spring and the plug that pushes the shells into the chamber. not quite sure what that plug is called. My serial number is 82014. I would love it if someone would give me a phone call so we could talk. 509-710-1941