Pre '64 300 Mag

smarks911

I inherited a Win 300 mag custom built by George Hoenig in 1963. It was built for my Dad by Mr. Hoenig. I need to insure this weapon and am thinking about selling it. What is the best way to go about this?

tsr1965

Well, since it is a custom, and non-original Pre-64, collector value is not there, for anything other than a parts gun, to build another custom.

On the other hand, depending, on which 300 Magnum you are talking about...300 Winchester, 300 H&H, or possibly 300 Weatherby, it might have shooter value.

The way to determine its current market value, is to take many very good pictures of it, and list it on the auction side. Start it on a penny($0.01), and let it run for 7-10 days, with no reserve. At the end, you will know what exactly the market will bear.

Best

Ray B

Just because it is not "original" does not reduce it to a "shooter" or "parts gun". Jack O'Connor's Model 70s built by Al Biesen could hardly be called "parts guns". Since it was built by a moderately famous gunsmith, I suggest having it appraised by a professional that is knowledgeable in the field- not someone that sees two kinds of Winchesters: NIB and parts guns.

nononsense

smarks911,

If it's not an original Winchester factory rifle, the value of customs is very dependent on who the builder is or was. Their fame and notoriety is what sets the value as does the quality of the work (fit and finish) and custom parts. The quality of the wood for the stock can make a significant difference in value later. In essence, a piece of plain Jane walnut will not be as valuable as an extra lusso piece of Turkish walnut.

As far as George Hoenig is concerned, his reputation is unquestioned by anyone who has seen his work or owns one of his firearms. His round action rifles and shotguns are a brilliant design perfectly executed in metal and wood. Then too, his stock duplicators were a precious commodity to the stock makers of the world. Their balance and accuracy have never been equaled let alone surpassed in the commercial field. I had the great good fortune of working with one such duplicator when I was an apprentice. It spoiled me for any other design.

Here is a short photographic essay on one of his round actions:

http://www.mwreynolds.com/HTML/shotHoenig.html

Scroll down a couple to see a detail of the round action:

http://www.hallowellco.com/triggerplate_action.htm

I suggest getting a highly knowledgeable appraiser to establish a price for insurance, although it is extremely doubtful that it could be replaced at any cost. Most of George's work is considered to one-of-a-kind.

Best.

sandwarrior

nononsense,

It is once again a pleasure to see your knowledge on the subject of not only firearms, but who's who in firearms. Every time I think the Mauser action or some variation of it is supreme, along comes a wizard most of us can barely understand.

Thank you for those pictures.

richarda

Even a pre-'64 factory barreled action in .300 WINCHESTER Magnum (not .300 H&H (these latter are marked on the barrel ".300 Magnum"), however stocked, has considerable collector value - because it was only made in that year, in small numbers.

miles

quote:Originally posted by nononsense
smarks911,

If it's not an original Winchester factory rifle, the value of customs is very dependent on who the builder is or was. Their fame and notoriety is what sets the value as does the quality of the work (fit and finish) and custom parts. The quality of the wood for the stock can make a significant difference in value later. In essence, a piece of plain Jane walnut will not be as valuable as an extra lusso piece of Turkish walnut.

As far as George Hoenig is concerned, his reputation is unquestioned by anyone who has seen his work or owns one of his firearms. His round action rifles and shotguns are a brilliant design perfectly executed in metal and wood. Then too, his stock duplicators were a precious commodity to the stock makers of the world. Their balance and accuracy have never been equaled let alone surpassed in the commercial field. I had the great good fortune of working with one such duplicator when I was an apprentice. It spoiled me for any other design.

Here is a short photographic essay on one of his round actions:

http://www.mwreynolds.com/HTML/shotHoenig.html

Scroll down a couple to see a detail of the round action:

http://www.hallowellco.com/triggerplate_action.htm

I suggest getting a highly knowledgeable appraiser to establish a price for insurance, although it is extremely doubtful that it could be replaced at any cost. Most of George's work is considered to one-of-a-kind.

Best.




At the bottom of the second link I clicked on the knives and found some beautiful (and expensive) edged weapons made by master knife makers.
Thanks for the link.

charliemeyer007

George does really nice work. I got to play on one of his panograph my friend owned. I had the blond walnut blank picked out for my Newton rifle. I didn't get my pattern for an offhand stock for the rifle made before my friend died. Sadly all is lost but I still have the rifle and a project.

George like my hand made pin for the alignment of the star on the cylinder of my M-29.

I would insure it for a lot, replacement cost of that quality of work will be very high.