This is a nice example of a Winchester Hotchkiss Third Model Sporting rifle manufactured in 1888. The top barrel flat at the breech is marked "45-70", the upper tang is marked "MODEL OF 1883", the lower tang is marked with the three line patent dates and the serial number is on the trigger guard plate. Brass blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight graduated to 1,000 yards, blue barrel with casehardened remaining parts and mounted with a semi fancy smooth walnut forearm with horn forend and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, 1/2 octagon barrel, "fancy stock", that it was received in the warehouse on November 26, 1888 and that no shipping date was recorded,

Very good plus. The barrel has a smooth brown patina with streaks of thin original blue finish The receiver and trigger guard retain traces of the original case colors, brightest in the protected areas. There is a smooth mottled patina on the balance of the casehardened parts. The wood is fine with a number of small dings on the stock and overall scattered minor dents and scratches. The markings are clear. The action is fine.