http://www.gunauction.com/buy/117450...-of-400-no-ffl

WINNER: c*******d

HIGH BID: $1,882.55

O RESERVE!! Here's a very scarce U.S. Military weapon! This is a Winchester-Hotchkiss Second Model Army Carbine. The Hotchkiss was Winchester's very first bolt action rifle. Several variations were made including rifles and carbines and most were sold on the commercial market. A very limited number were sold to the United States military and only 400 Second Model Carbines were manufactured. It is interesting to note that Winchester supplied the receivers, bolts, trigger guards, buttplates and partially finished stocks to Springfield Armory who then fitted them with barrels and finished the weapons. This rifle shows the typical "US" and "VP/Eagle Head" markings on the Springfield made barrel. The various parts have Henry Nettleton's "HN" inspector's intials. The rear sight is marked "H.C." on both base and ladder, presumably indicating "Hotchkiss Carbine". The carbine is chambered for the .45-70 Gov't cartridge and the barrel measures 24" in length. The metal forend tip is an interesting affair with a hinged door which allows access to the cleaning rods normally held inside the forend. To the left side of the receiver there is a manual safety and to the right side is a magazine cut-off. The magazine itself is housed in the buttstock, feeding cartridges from the rear. Overall condition is good however the weapon shows typical wear including a stock which was cracked through forward of the wrist and repaired (this area is commonly cracked on these weapons since the wrist is thin as well as hollow for the magazine tube). There is little finish on the barrel but some good blue finish does remain on the trigger guard. The mechanics appear to be in good working order and my consignor (who has owned this carbine since 1953) has fired it in the past. The bore rates good to very good with some good shine, strong rifling, and just a few minor dark areas. Not perfect, but a super scarce item for the collector of U.S. military weapons!