This is a very fine example of a U.S. Winchester Model 1883 Third Model Bolt Action Army Rifle. This rifle was originally designed by Benjamin Hotchkiss in 1875-76. He then sold the patent rights to Winchester in 1877. This was Winchester's first attempt at producing bolt action repeating rifle, and it featured a unique, turn bolt action design with an internal tubular magazine that was loaded under the bolt. These third models can be easily distinguished from the earlier model by the two-piece stock. This example is an early third model, and it is estimated that approximately 100 were made for the U.S. Army. The rear of the lower tang is marked in three lines with "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." The upper tang is marked "MODEL OF 1883 ". The forward, underside area of the recover is stamped with serial number "23927". The top of the barrel is marked "---MANUFACTURED BY THE--- / ---WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.---". The breech end of the barrel is stamped with "U.S" over the circled "VP" Verified Proof stamp of the Winchester factory over the initials "D.F.C." for David F. Clark the U.S. Ordnance Inspector. The left side of the receiver has a "U.S./D.F.C." stamp. It has a fixed front sight and an 1879 rear sight graduated to 1,000 meters with range markings on the side of the base and the face of the ladder. It has the two-piece walnut forend and buttstock with a smooth casehardened buttplate. The left side of the buttstock has a boxed "H.a." cartouche, and a script "P" firing proof is behind the trigger guard. It has blued parts aside from the bright polished bolt body and the casehardened receiver and lower tang/trigger guard assembly.