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Winchester engraving, Model 70

CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
edited November 2013 in Ask the Experts
This will be pic heavy, but I need some help.
Is this pre 64 model 70 in 375 H&H factory engraved?
The moose on the stock is beautiful, but, is it factory.
Don't make fun of the scope, it's just on there for looks.
The recoil pad is a Pachmeyers, I know it's not original.
Bert, I haven't figured out how to post pictures on the Winchester site, maybe you can help.
Thank you for your time.
W.D.
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Comments

  • Ray BRay B Member Posts: 11,822
    edited November -1
    WD: Pauline Muerrle is a former engraver for Winchester and is familiar with the various factory engravers' work. There is a Model 21 site that she has a column on. Model21shotgun.com is the website.
  • eastbankeastbank Member Posts: 4,052 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    after looking at the overall enhancment,i don,t think its factory. the stock checkering just looks like plain factory(nothing fancy)checkering. and i think if the factory did the rest of the enhancments the checkering would have been much better. but i have been wrong before. will the moderator please explain himself,according to T.S. albert.
  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello WD great looking rifle .I would think the rifle was refinished at some point in time and that was when it was engraved . If you look at the barrel roll stamping it looks buffed along with receiver being drilled and tapped then screw hole filled in with a blank and polished. if the rifle was engraved when this was refinished the engraving would also show signs of buffing.
    The carving is Very detailed. I normally don't like that kind of thing but in your example Great skill was needed to do this kind of work.I do like yours. Thanks for posting those pictures.

    EDIT WD and others I don't do any carving or engraving but do like high level of skill any any and all fields. I have heard it said by many wood carvers That heavy Figured wood is NOT what you want to carve. Rather straight grained wood wil be less likely to crack / split or have a piece Chip out. Might be one reason for work done on this stock. #&% is a great Cartridge. Can be loaded down for Deer ETC.
  • drl50drl50 Member Posts: 2,496
    edited November -1
    Would seem unusual to order such ornate work on a standard rifle. The upgrade to Super Grade would pale in comparison to the cost of the engraving.
  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,460 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
    Hello WD great looking rifle .I would think the rifle was refinished at some point in time and that was when it was engraved . If you look at the barrel roll stamping it looks buffed along with receiver being drilled and tapped then screw hole filled in with a blank and polished. if the rifle was engraved when this was refinished the engraving would also show signs of buffing. The carving is Very detailed. I normally don't like that kind of thing but in your example Great skill was needed to do this kind of work.I do like yours. Thanks for posting those pictures.


    +1 on this assessment. I would think that a factory engraved rifle would have started with a Super Grade.
  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Most definitely aftermarket work.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by eastbank
    after looking at the overall enhancment,i don,t think its factory. the stock checkering just looks like plain factory(nothing fancy)checkering. and i think if the factory did the rest of the enhancments the checkering would have been much better. but i have been wrong before. will the moderator please explain himself,according to T.S. albert.


    Who is "T.S. albert", and what moderator are you looking for an explanation from?

    WACA Historian & Life Member

  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was waiting for everyone to comment, before I put my thoughts here.
    Thank everyone for their replies, I appreciate them all.
    I've heard about this rifle for several months, I put eyes on it this past Saturday, took the pictures Sunday.
    I have some pre 64 model 70s, and a bit of knowledge, but know next to nothing about engraving.
    The first thing that struck me was the stock, If I where going to pay for engraving, I sure would have paid for a Supreme stock. I will say the moose is very well done, I don't like anything carved on a stock, and have seen many nice rifles ruined with carving, but, that moose is nice. I did not think it was factory, but I have been wrong before.
    The bolt, I would think a factory engraved rifle would have a fancier bolt.
    I went to Pauline's website, looked at all of the Winchester factory patterns, looked at some books, I saw nothing that looked like what's on this rifle.
    Last, but not least, the screw repair on the left side of the auction, right in the middle of the Winchester, it could have been done later, it doesn't look original.
    The rifle belongs to a friend, it will eventually be passed to his grand son. He was curious, and asked me to see what I could find out.
    He paid $600 for the rifle about 10 years ago, factory or not, a pretty good investment.
    Thanks again.
    W.D.

    PS
    T.S. Albert, please call home.
  • eastbankeastbank Member Posts: 4,052 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i still think its a nice rifle and i would use it. i have a 1975 model winchester in 375H&H mag. on my trip to africa i used a CZ 550 in 375 H&H and it did the job on every thing i shot,only two animals took a second shot and that was only to make sure they were down for good.i,m going back to hunt africa this comming june and i,ll use the same rifle. according to T.S. albert.
  • nyforesternyforester Member Posts: 2,575 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Also - blueing is just not good enough to be factory.
    Abort Cuomo
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