Guns International #: 103198128

Category - Winchester Rifles - Model 70 Pre-64 - Winchester Rifles - Model 70 Super Grade

Category
Winchester Rifles - Model 70 Pre-64
Winchester Rifles - Model 70 Super Grade

Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 African 458 Win. Mag. Rare and Excellent!

Description:

A very fine example of this rare and unique style; The ultra scarce Model 70 .458 Winchester "African". Only 1226 ever produced!
S/N 413471 with matching scribed bolt made in 1957.
97-98% original Blue and Varnish with only minor marks. There are no cracks, structural repairs, or alterations of any kind.
25" barrel with a minty bore, along with flawless mechanical functions.
Correct and still spongy factory recoil pad as issued on all 458s.
Factory issued double reinforcing crossbolts through stock.
Besides the factory crossbolt(s) that were installed in all 458s, this style also differed significantly from every other Model 70 by having elaborate machined rear sights, and exclusively positioned / barrel mounted front swivels. Many of them, including this particular rifle, were made with an additional recoil lug brazed onto the barrel, along with required special inletting in the barrel channel to accommodate the lug. This feature was incorporated in an effort to prevent stock cracking that had been occasionally reported on some of the earlier guns.
While not technically cataloged as such, these "Africans" were for all practical purposes Super Grades, and were adorned with those same special SG features such as: Deluxe grade stocks with elevated cheek rest, Super Grade stamped floorplates, jeweled action components, rust blued barrels, robust detachable swivels, etc. 
This investment grade rifle represents less than 1/4 of 1% of all Pre 64 Model 70s ever produced and good ones like this can be very hard to come by! Of the relatively few made, many were in fact taken to Africa or other distant venues and have seen better days to say the least. This one remains virtually unscathed, 100% original and in exceptional shape for a nearly 70 y.o. rifle.
Please add $100 for expedited and fully insured shipping from Alaska.

Curio/Relic: Yes

Price: $10,500.00