Do I have safari or Alaskan 375?

[brandon1078]

I bought a Win model 70 from gunbroker. The guy I bought it from wasn’t sure if it was Alaskan or safari. I’ll attach some photos to see if you guys can help me. From the serial number, it looks to be made in 1968. 848XXX It has a 23” barrel and weighs 8.5 pounds. Winchester was called by previous owner, but they couldn’t give any information on it.

 

[brandon1078]

Somewhere I read the Alaskan doesn’t have the two crossbolts….but other places says some do. Also I’ve read the sling swivel is on the barrel on the safari. I’ve read about 24 and 25” barrels, but nothing about 23”. Too much conflicting information

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Sounds like a safari. The Alaskan’s had longer barrels but that could’ve been chopped

 

[poco]

Don’t get me to lying but I believe that you have a Alaskan
“Safari over the Alaskan is the location of the front sling stud (barrel mounted on Safari) and the fact that the Safari sights are adjustable. and a straight stock “
The Alaskan has a Monte Carlo stock ?

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Here’s one that’s nearly identical to yours. S/N 860XXX. The auction house calls this a “Sporting” which was apparently a limited run of economy versions. Barrel length is the same as yours.

In 72 they did something similar to the sporting calling it 70A’s.

As @poco pointed out, you don’t have the barrel sling stud the safaris have, which I missed. Your barrel is too short for an Alaskan and the stock with the crossbolts isn’t that of an Alaskan. It’s possible it’s a replacement stock but given the example I found above you likely have whatever that is. Could be a special make for a specific retailer. Any way you slice it. It’s a nice 375, time to go put some animals in the salt with it.

 

[brandon1078]

View attachment 624232

Here’s one that’s nearly identical to yours. S/N 860XXX. The auction house calls this a “Sporting” which was apparently a limited run of economy versions. Barrel length is the same as yours.

In 72 they did something similar to the sporting calling it 70A’s.

As @poco pointed out, you don’t have the barrel sling stud the safaris have, which I missed. Your barrel is too short for an Alaskan and the stock with the crossbolts isn’t that of an Alaskan. It’s possible it’s a replacement stock but given the example I found above you likely have whatever that is. Could be a special make for a specific retailer. Any way you slice it. It’s a nice 375, time to go put some animals in the salt with it.

Yes sir. That looks just like it. Thank you.

 

[hoytcanon]

You have a rifle with certain characteristics... does it matter what they called it?

Generally these days, an "Alaskan" rifle will have a shorter barrel (20" ish) in order to be handled in heavy brush and will more than likely be Stainless/Synthetic rather than blued, due to the dark, wet environment. An "African" will have a longer barrel (23"+ ish) for the greater variety of shots found in the veldt, and will be Blued/Walnut rather than stainless due to the dryer, arid environment. Those are loose characteristics, and not all companies play by those rules when they choose the designation "African or Alaskan."

P.S - nice rifle... that is extremely practical and can cover pretty much anything you might want to do.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

It looks closer to a Safari model rather than an Alaskan.