Hotchkiss Model 1879 rifle. The stock is wood, secured to barrel by two bands and fitted with a sling loop. The butt is slightly dropped with a steel butt plate. There is a slot cut into the barrel for a cleaning rod (which is missing). In the stock is the tubular magazine which holds five rounds fed forward by a coil spring activated piston. Bolt action with a magazine cutoff on the right side of the bolt handle - this allows the weapon to be used as a single shot weapon. The barrel is rifled and fitted with a blade foresight and a ramp and leaf rearsight. The calibre is 0.45in. Stamped on the rifle is the following: Serial number '6479 MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO NEW HAVEN CONN USA PATENTED OCT 16 1860, JUNE 25 1872-JULY 23 1878 AND UNDER BB HOTCHKISS PAT'S AUG 17 1869, FEB 15 1870 NOV 9 1875, NOV 1876, JAN 23 1877'. Between 1879 and 1881, the US Navy took delivery of Hotchkiss Magazine rifles Model 1878 and 1879 and the Hotckiss Magazine carbine.