Winchester Pre-64 Model 70 Supergrade African 458 (1956)

[Falmike]

There are four recently closed auctions on GB under $2700 for Win 79 Supergrade 458 Win Mags

 

[Jack Stevens]

Agree with all of the above assessments on this rifle. It is what one would call a “shooter” with no collector value. Not sure if any wood was removed on the stock where the aperture sight is mounted? Oftentimes it is. I would remove the muzzle break, appears threaded, screw in a thread protector and call it a day.

Not uncommon for these rifles to have “period correction modifications” like Griffin & Howe side mounts but even they can lower the value. Anyways, the rifle is a shooter, perfectly fine to take to Africa and beat the hell out of it.

Actually, since any ‘collector value’ has long since been destroyed, if I bought it for $1K or less, I’d have it professionally re-barreled and chambered for another DG cartridge that would work with the COAL limits of the magazine box. Maybe like, .404 Jeff?

Add a new 23”-24” barrel (no MB), a barrel-banded fiber-optic front sight, a banded sling mount, and a full quarter-rib with two folding leafs. No standing/fix blade so as not to interfere with the sighting plane of the current receiver-mounted aperture sight. That’s the only mod I actually like on this rifle since I prefer fast-shooting with apertures or “peeps” to forward mounted express sights. YMMV in that regard.

 

[RR 314]

There are four recently closed auctions on GB under $2700 for Win 79 Supergrade 458 Win Mags

Were any of those for the original 1226? I bet all were newer "supergrades".

 

[Falmike]

Were any of those for the original 1226? I bet all were newer "supergrades".

Not sure. Three had red recoil pads, one had black

 

[rookhawk]

Were any of those for the original 1226? I bet all were newer "supergrades".

There are all manner of abominations done to those original 1226. The collectors want pristine, original, and all the parts present. Some of the parts are so expensive that if missing, the gun loses all its value. I've seen pristine examples save for a bobbed barrel sit on the market for a decade at $5500. (21" barrels were a thing)

The rear sight is prohibitive and exclusive to the 458. $500 and up. (missing on the example in this post)

The bottom metal is $500 and up.

The supergrade sling studs are very expensive.

Original unmolested stocks that haven't been cut down, had new crossbolts added, and have the original pad are many thousands of dollars.

The internal 458 box magazine is very rare.

As you can see, if those parts are missing, you're left with a $700-$900ish pre-64 action.

Inversely, an all-original but totally trashed pre64 458WM selling for $3500 is literally worth the sum-total of its parts if chopped up.

There is not enough originality left in this gun to put humpty dumpty back together again.

 

[roklok]

Really curious about the center crossbolt, if that is in fact what it is. It would seem to pass right through the rear of magazine.

 

[rookhawk]

Really curious about the center crossbolt, if that is in fact what it is. It would seem to pass right through the rear of magazine.

Doubt its a crossbolt, nothing to secure it there. It was pinned there to prevent recoil forces from splitting the stock or to repair a hairline crack forming.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Were any of those for the original 1226? I bet all were newer "supergrades".

All were newer guns, not Pre64’s. There have been a couple Pre64’s pop up over the last few years but only one was in any sort of “collectible” condition

 

[Mekaniks]

If it could be purchased for under 1k… This could be a good donor action for a custom 458 Lott build….

 

[TSIBINDI]

...As I see it:

This is an original African that has been subjected to all manner of "changes."

Obviously, the muzzle brake and the front sight ramp and the front sight insert. The ramp appears to be a post '64 type with (Maybe) a Marble white bead insert. The original was a Lyman 37FA silver bead.

To replace the missing rear sight, if original, will be costly. The existing aperture rear sight appears to be a Lyman 48WJS.

I've owned/sold several original African rifles, and NONE ever had the inscription "AFRICAN" on the Super Grade floor plate.

The stock has additional checkering at the grip, and I have no idea what the other plugs are for?? The pad is after market. It should be either solid red, or a red waffle type.

Photos 14 and 16 IMO do not appear to be the rifle in question.

 

[Rowbeeone]

Wow everyone, thank you very much for all the information. It has really helped. I'm definitely not out to represent it as something it's not, so glad to have all this information. I live in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area and Wannemacher's gun show is coming up soon, April 5-6 with 4200 tables. I wonder if I might get some offers if I take it to the show.

 

[Grandpa Moose]

Got really lucky two weeks ago. Ended up with a 1938 prewar 70 in 300 H&H that is pristine and complete. My hunting chums are drulling over it. One of the rifles of dreams. Now to recover from medical problems and get out and use it on a bear or moose

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

...As I see it:

This is an original African that has been subjected to all manner of "changes."

Obviously, the muzzle brake and the front sight ramp and the front sight insert. The ramp appears to be a post '64 type with (Maybe) a Marble white bead insert. The original was a Lyman 37FA silver bead.

To replace the missing rear sight, if original, will be costly. The existing aperture rear sight appears to be a Lyman 48WJS.

I've owned/sold several original African rifles, and NONE ever had the inscription "AFRICAN" on the Super Grade floor plate.

The stock has additional checkering at the grip, and I have no idea what the other plugs are for?? The pad is after market. It should be either solid red, or a red waffle type.

Photos 14 and 16 IMO do not appear to be the rifle in question.

I didn't even catch the "African" on the base plate ... Kind of makes me want to compare the Super Grade marking to one of the ones I have, since I've seen a "fake" Super Grade Floor Plate.

To me this points more to it being a parts gun that someone tried to clone or make into a fake African Super Grade. As you know all to well, there are more "Fakes" out there than all the rare M70's manufactured added together.