Displays at St. Louis

In August we put up two displays at the St. Louis Arms Collectors show. Our "Winchester Lever Actions in the Service" took 'Best Educational, and our "Winchester Hotchkiss Military Guns" took 'Best of Show'. We received many nice comments. Here are photos of the displays. Our next outing with these displays will be at the Kansas City show January 10 &11, '09. Come and see us.

Hotchkiss Display 5-08

This is our WINCHESTER HOTCHKISS display at the Ohio show in May, 2008.

The First and Second Model Hotchkiss Rifles and Carbines were a Joint effort between Winchester and the Springfield Armory. Winchester produced the receiver, including the trigger guard. Also the butt plate, and they partially machined the stock. The parts were forwarded to Springfield who finished the guns. There was much correspondence, and too many changes to list in this short summary.

Following are descriptions of the items shown, top to bottom;

1. First Model Carbine- Serial #265. There were 500 purchased by Springfield in 1879.

2. This Civilian Style Carbine- Serial #388 was originally one of the 500 First Model Armies purchased by Springfield in 1879. Most of the First Model Armies were turned back to Winchester who converted them into Civilian Carbines.

3. First Model Navy Rifle- Serial #2167, WMF inspected. There were a total of 1474 First Model Navy Rifles purchased by Springfield in 1879

4. First Model Navy Rifle-Serial #2331, WWK inspected. Approximately 500 were inspected by WWK. 1879

5. Second Model Carbine-Serial #4072. Winchester developed the Second Model to answer various design flaws in the Firsts. This Carbine is one of 80 Second Models that were exchange for First Models in 1880.

6. Second Model Navy Rifle-Serial #4978. Springfield purchased 500 Second Model Rifles for the Navy. 1880

7. Third Model Army Rifle-Serial # 23649. Ultimately Winchester developed the Third Model Rifle, and produced it entirely at Winchester. Springfield purchased 712 in 1884.

8. Third Model Civilian Style Rifle-Serial # 82606. The California Guard purchased 386 of these in 1915.

Note that this display is enhanced with a mannequinn outfitted with an 1883 Sack Coat, an 1886 Private Purchase Cavalry hat, and an 1880 Carbine Sling. The sling is attached to a Second Model Carbine- Serial # 12768. There were roughly 500 First Model Carbines and Rifles exchanged with Winchester for these Second Model Carbines until Winchester called a halt to the exchange deal. Also note the related items in the display,including the photo in front of the mannequinn depicting use of the outfitted items.

This brief description of our display is by no way meant to answer all of your questions relating to the Hotchkiss Contracts. Please email me with your unanswered questions at djcurlovic at mtsinet dot com

Jim

Winchester Military Levers

The following is an explanation of each item as you look at photos of our display 'Winchester Lever Actions in the Service' . From top to bottom you are seeing;

1. 2400 of these Model '94 30-30 cal. Saddle Ring Carbines were purchased by France in 1914. It is speculated France purchased standard guns, and added the unusual side mounted sling swivels. After WWI Belgium purchased an unknown quantity (certainly not all) for use in the Congo.

2. This Model '92 Carbine in 44-40 was made for The British Admiralty and sold through J. P. Morgan in 1915. These guns were inspected at the Winchester Factory by Canada at the request of the Admiralty, and bear Canada's Provincial Seal on top of the barrel. There are no other special markings. They are standard Model '92s with a saddle ring. The British purchased 14,000 Carbines, and 9,000,000 rounds of solid lead ammunition. It is speculated that they were for use by the Merchantmen.

3. This Model '94 Carbine in 30-30 was also purchased by the British Admiralty and inspected by Canada. It bears Canada's Provincial Seal, and the British opposing broad arrows 'Sold out of service' mark on the barrel. These Carbines are standard Carbines with saddle rings. The quantity purchased by Britain is 5000. I have not found a record of the ammunition purchased. Again, these Carbines were probably for the Merchantmen, but the 'opposing broad arrows' indicate they may have been inland.

4. This '94 Carbine in 30-30 was purchased by the US for use by the Signal Corps who were sent to the U.S. Northwest to control the harvest of Spruce Trees for use in airplane manufacture. It is commonly know as a Spruce Gun. There were 1800 purchased. They were hand stamped U.S., with an ordnance mark on the receiver ring.

5. This Model '94 in 30-30 is marked U.S. with an anchor on the bottom of the receiver. The serial number range is right in the middle of the Spruce gun range. This author has not located another, so marked, in 10 years of research. Therefore right now it is "one of one".

6. Early in WWII Canada formed the 'Pacific Coast Militia Rangers' to

protect their West Coast from invasion by the Japanese. They purchased 2,500 to 3,000 Model '94s in 30-30 for this program. They are marked with the Canadian Broad Arrow on the fore stock, receiver and butt stock. Please note the Ranger artifacts ,including a very rare uniform, in this display.

7. This Model '95 rifle in 30-40 Krag is one of 10,000 purchased by the US in 1898. They are factory marked US in the receiver ring. One Hundred were tested by the 33rd Volunteer Infantry in the Philippines, and were subsequently rejected for use, supposedly because of cocking issues in combat. Also they were not needed because the Span Am war had ended. They ultimately were sold to an arms dealer who sold them to South America. However this author has a photo dated 1905 of four Kentucky Guards with US Model '94 Rifles. There are very few in collector's hands today.

8. While the US had decided they did not want Model '95s, the Russians, in 1915, purchased almost 300,000 in 7.62 cal. They are available from time to time, but they are usually in horrible condition. They are distinguished by the clip guide factory installed on the receiver.

If you have any questions, or wish any detailed photos please contact me at djcurlovic@mtsinet dot com

Jim

MORE DISPLAY PHOTOS

Here are a few more photos of our display at the Minnesota Weapons Collectors Show in conjunction with the NRA Annual National Gun Collector's Show the weekend of 8/9/2008.

Let me help you with your questions on Winchester Hotchkiss Rifles & Carbines, as well as other Winchester Military Firearms.