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Leonard Mews Custom 35 Whelen - 1951 Winchester Model 70 -
Guns International #: 101188512 Seller's Inventory #: 312019
Category: Winchester Rifles - Model 70 Pre-64 - Custom Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: buckstix
Member Since: 3/26/13
State: Wisconsin
Country: United States
Phone: (920) 450-0723
Number of Active Listings: 5
Total Number of Listings: 16
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Cashier's CK - Postal MO
About Us: I am a private collector / seller ... see my many posts on various forums under buckstix
Description:
Hello, "for the first time" I'm offering for sale a truly Classic rifle by a World renown Classic builder. This is one of Leonard Mews' finest Customs. I'm getting old, and I have start finding deserving homes for my treasured toys.
This rifle is Custom built on a 1951 Winchester Model 70 action. Built by the famous Leonard Mews. Although Leonard was a skilled artisan in both wood and metal, in many cases he farmed out the Metal Work so as to concentrate on his meticulous Stock Making. He did so with this rifle where the Metal Work was done by WR Ehlers, a Master Gunsmith, also from Wisconsin. The Custom Mannlicher Stock is AAA Fancy French Walnut hand made by Leonard. It is Full-Length Mannlicher style with a Schnabel "Rosewood" tip and Raised Out-Line Check-Piece. It is checkered in 24 lines/inch with a two-panel Border-less "Lightening" pattern. Pistol grip checkering is single-panel "Wrap-Around" style with Leonard's classic seamless "Over-the-Top" pattern. The finish is traditional "Hand-Rubbed" Oil Finish consisting of dozens-upon-dozens of layers applied over several months.
It has a Custom Deep Blue 24" Octagon-to-Round Barrel with a Full-Length Integral Low Rib, and a Raised Quarter Rib that houses the 3-leaf Express Sights. The Barrel is "OHLER BOHLER RASANT" "Made in Austria" and so marked. The stock has a Niedner Checkered Steel Curved Butt Plate with a Widow's Peak and a hinged 3-round Cartridge Trap compartment. It also has a Checkered Steel Grip Cap. It is mounted with a Vintage Redfield 4x12 Range Finding Scope. The Trigger is a Canjar "Single-Set" with a Built-in Trigger Shoe. LOP = 13-5/8" Weight = 9 lbs 8 oz empty. (with 3 rounds in the trap)
According to Roy Weatherby himself ( written in his autobiography ) Leonard Mews was Roy's "First & Best" Custom Stock Maker ... Ever ! Leonard worked for Roy Weatherby in the late 40's, into the early 50's and is credited for designing the Weatherby stock as it exists today. Later, Leonard moved back to his home in Appleton, Wisconsin. His rifles are near impossible to find and hardly ever come up for sale. Documentation shows that rifles like one this would take 2 - 3 years to complete.
If you want to learn more about Leonard Mews, see Monty Kennedy's book, "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks" where numerous chapters show several of his marvelous creations. His work is also shown in Dunlap's classic book, "Gunsmithing", as well as in many of the 1960s to 1970s period "Gun Digests" under the chapter "Custom Rifles".
Leonard Mews was recognized as the "Best in the Business" during the period of the Classic American Stock Makers, which included, Ackley, Biesen, Dunlap, Fisher, Goens, Kennedy, Linden, Shelhamer, Stegall, and others.
The last insurance appraisal value for this rifle was $4950. I'm asking only $3750 plus shipping and insurance ... Only if the buyer promises to give it an appreciative good home. If you are a classic rifle collector, you don't want to miss this rare opportunity.
SOLD
Manufacturer: Leonard Mews Custom on
Model: Winchester model 70 Custom
Serial Number: 191940
Caliber Info: 35 Whelen
Bore: excellent
Chambers: excellent
Condition: excellent
Metal Condition: excellent
Wood Condition: excellent
Bore Condition: excellent
Barrels: 24" Blue
Barrel Type: OHLER BOHLER RASANT - Made in Austria
Triggers: Canjar Single-Set
Fore End: Rosewood Schnabel
Butt Pad: checkered steel Niedner w/ cartridge trap
LOP: 13-5/8
Rib: full length w/ 1/4 raised
Finish: blue
Weight: 9 lbs 8 oz
Sights: 3-leaf express
Manufacture Date: 1951