Price check- Winchester Custom Classic Safari

[kfrye]

Not sure if this is the right place to check, but I have a chance to pick up a Model 70 Classic safari express- not the African model though. I found the old catalog retail was around 3k. Being that they aren’t very common, I wanted to reach out to this knowledgeable group on what would be a fair price on it. The model in question is the stainless gloss model in 458 Lott. Looks unfired. No box or paperwork. Missing front sight. Has the 3 leaf rear.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Got a picture?

 

[kfrye]

 

[Pheroze]

I thought it looked really well kept, but the missing front sight makes me wonder what happened. Would it be prudent to get a picture of the crown?

 

[kfrye]

Very clean

 

[Therack]

I like the stainless on wood look.

 

[Graham Hunter]

What is the bbl length?

 

[Graham Hunter]

If you don't mind the serial # would be very helpful!

 

[Bullthrower338]

Looks like the barrel has been cut doesn’t it? Crown doesn’t look right to me.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Hence my questions!

 

[Bullthrower338]

This is the front sight on my Stainless Classic

 

[BeeMaa]

From looking on the Winchester website, most of the model 70 barrels are 24" long, so that should be easy to figure out.
Also contacting Winchester with the S/N, they can provide you with the original information on the firearm.
As for the original question, is it worth $3K? IMO - It is worth $3K minus what it will take to properly mount a front sight.
Let's face it, it's a 458Lott and DG will most likely be on the menu.
I believe you are going to want to use the open sights at some point and that would detract from the price.

 

[kfrye]

Barrel is at 24” and tapped for the front sight. To add some intrigue for New Haven guys, this was one of the last rifles out of the custom shop- after everything closed up. I’m told the stainless gloss option was offered in 04-05 and only 10% of the safari models left in stainless.

It has an uncut three leaf rear and most likely will get a NECG Banded front. Yes, it has found a new home. A deal that could not be passed up.

 

[Shootist43]

That is a beautiful rifle. While you're getting a NECG Banded Front Sight put on it, why don't you have a NECG rear Peep installed as well. It sits on a base that can be easily removed so that a scope can be installed if desired. That set up BTW is what is on my 404 Jeffery.

 

[Mlibizi 8182]

May I ask how many rounds does the magazine hold?

 

[kfrye]

Three, but looking at the sunnyhill drop that adds one.

 

[sierraone]

Looks like the barrel has been cut doesn’t it? Crown doesn’t look right to me.

Also I don't think I have ever seen that wood/coloring finish on a Winchester, but pretty sure I have on a Browning somewhere in my past.

 

[ChrisG]

The crown doesn't look right to me either. It looks almost like it was pitted and then brushed to cover it up. It is a beautiful rifle to look at. I think however, that you will get very frustrated in the woods with it. Glossy stocks and game stalking usually do not go hand in hand due to how reflective that finish is.

 

[kfrye]

Agreed, future plan is to make the current finish satin or refinish altogether. Yes, this one didn’t see the Winchester stain and looks like something from Browning. Don’t worry, this one will get a solid once over before getting put out to work. Not sure if it was destined for a muzzle break or not to explain the crown. My understanding of the custom shop was that they would make anything a customer wanted- within reason.