Hotchkiss Model 1878 rifle. The stock is secured to the barrel by two steel bands. The butt is slightly dropped with a steel butt plate. The trigger guard is steel and is secured by two screws. Sling loops are fitted, one to the front of the trigger, the other to the fore-end barrel. A steel cleaning rod fits beneath the barrel. In the stock is a tubular magazine which holds five rounds fed forward by a coil spring-activated piston. The lock is bolt action, centre fire with magazine cut off on the right side of the bolt handle - this allows the weapon to be used a single shot weapon. The barrel is steel, circular and rifled. Fitted with blade foresight and ramp and leaf rear sight. The calibre is 0.45in. Inscribed on barrel: 'MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO./NEW HAVEN CONN./PATENTED OCT 16 1860 JUNE 25 1872 JULY 23 1878 AND / BB HOTCHKISS PAT'S AUG 17 1869 FEB 15 1870 NOV 9 1875 JAN 23 1877'. It is engraved with the number '73'. Between 1879 and 1881, the US Navy took delivery of Hotchkiss Model 1878 and 1879 rifles and the Hotchkiss carbine.