The Winchester Hotchkiss bolt actions are an interesting mix of old and new and were designed by Benjamin B. Hotchkiss who sold the rights to the design to Winchester in 1877. They utilize a newer bolt action design but feed through a fixed internal tubular magazine within the buttstock. This high condition Third Model or Model 1883 was manufactured in 1895 and features a pinned blade front sight, the two-line Winchester address on top of the barrel, and notch and ladder rear sight graduated from 1 to 5 on the base and 5 to 11 on the ladder, long forend secured by two barrel bands and fitted with a steel cap no provisions for a cleaning rod, "{MODEL OF 1883}" on the upper tang, the serial number and a small "8" on the bottom ahead of the trigger guard bow, the three-line patent marking on the lower tang, smooth buttstock, and "255" marked on the tang of the mostly flat steel buttplate. There are no visible U.S. proof or inspection markings. The buttplate marking may be a rack number for a police department or national guard unit.

Fine with 75% plus original blue on the barrel which has mild wear mostly on the muzzle section, 60% plus of the lightly fading original casehardened finish on the action, mottled mix of finish and patina on the buttplate and forend hardware, an even re-oiled finish on the wood, some light scratches and marks on the wood and metal, and crisp markings. Mechanically excellent.