Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors New guy with question about selling...

I took ownership of four pre-64 model 70's from my Grandfather 13 years ago. I held these guns precious to me until my Grandma passed away a little over a year ago. For some reason, the sentimental value of these guns diminished with her passing. I never had the intent to sell and I never had the intent to use them. I am, now, to the point of pondering whether I should let them go and be appreciated by someone else. They sit in my safe, nobody sees them, at all, except for the occasional wipe down.

A little history, my Grandpa went to Africa in 1970 and 1971. The .375 H&H and the .300 H&H were heavily used and kind of shows it. The .300 Win mag, I believe, was only used on one trip and is in beautiful condition.

The .458 was bought in 1972 or 1973 and my Grandpa was going to take a third trip and try to take an elephant but every thing got put on hold as the country he was planning on going to made it hard with the protection of elephants, at that time. He never made it back for that third trip. This gun sat in his gun cabinet for 30 years until he passed in 2003. He or no one else has fired this rifle since he bought it in the early '70's.

I am a gun enthusiast. I own many. It, for some reason, feels sacrilegious if I shoot these. Like I said, they just sit in my safe and maybe it is time to part with them. I have had offers on the .375 and the .300 Win Mag but turned them down. I have a son but cannot leave these guns to him when my time comes to head for the great hunting grounds. So, I sit in ponderance not knowing quite what to do.

I once knew the years that these guns were built (well, other than the .458), but have since forgot. I pretty much know the value. My question is, what is the best way to sell these, if I so decide to? I have bought guns from Gunbroker.com. Never sold through them. Is that the best way? Something like that .458, it just seems like I could find a guy that would really want one, beings they are, somewhat, limited. I guess what I am saying is, it almost seems chinzy selling something like that on an online auction. Guys that buy classic cars go to classic cars shows. It's a lot of cash to part with for a great rifle like this, even though, it has some minor flaws.

I will try to put some pictures up here, for what it's worth, but no promises as I am knew here.

.458 Win Mag





Will spare you of the others. The only one that I would believe is in collector condition is the .300 Win. Mag, and I may be mistaken on that as I am no expert, but my biggest concern, although, I would sell all or none of these, is the .458 Win Mag.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I appreciate any advice or input given.

Gunbroker, penny auction, no reserve. You will make many peoples watch list with this technique and as the auction nears completion these folks WILL NOT let a gun sell for $1 less than it's value, especially a pre-64 Winchester.

I would be watching.

donsm70

I would be watching too. Probably not buying, as I know the value of the 458 is above my pay grade...

Bowhunter, you've been registered on this site since my b-day. About time you posted something. You have a very beautiful rifle there. I am not understanding why the rifles have lost value since your grandmother passed away. Seems your intention was to wait until she passed and then not feel guilty about selling your grandfathers loved/cherished collection. Now on to your 458 supergrade. It appears that rifle was made from late '59-1963 because of the ventilated recoil pad used. Rule states, "many of those serial numbered above 460,000 feature the ventilated style" recoil pad. If that rifle is original, it should be worth approx. $8,000.00-$9,000.00+... Post some pics of the other rifles you are thinking about letting go to someone who will "appreciate" them more. Thanks..

Being a gun enthusiast, I'd sell every other firearm I owned before I'd sell ones left to me by my Grandad. Especially such grand examples such as those. And what better way to honor him than to use them? (gently) To me, it would be more sacrilegious to sell them.
I just had my late fathers M-70 to the range to give my nephew (his grandson) an opportunity to shoot it. It brought back great memories of days gone by.

Just My Opinion, Your Mileage May Vary

That .458 is a beast! And a pretty one too! Given its history, I'd never let it go.

Yours are some very desirable rifles. If you do decide to sell them, please post the links here - I will definitely be watching!

My Grandfather died the year I was born. He was a hunter and a shooter and loved double guns which I also have an affinity for. My Grandmother sold all his guns to support herself and my mother. I can't fault her for that but I would give anything to have one of Grandpa's shotguns.

If you do decide to sell these please post it here. You will receive a fair price and they will go to true Winchester collectors who will appreciate them. I lack only the 300Wm and the 458 from completing my collection of all 18 std chamberings so I'll be watching as well.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

bsa1917hunter- It may seem like that, but no, that is not the deal. I'm thinking I registered around a few months ago and my Grandma passed in June of 2015. I was just never sure if I wanted to post these questions.

You all bring up great points and all points that I've thought of. I know what I have. When I received these rifles in 2003 I researched them all. I had the right to sell at any time, not just after Grandma died but I kept thinking "They made 1,200 of these .458's, I have one, if I part with it I will never own another one!"

I could probably get myself to use the .300 H&H. That one is a Super Grade but shows some wear. the .375 H&H I have no use for other than Grandpa killed a lot of African beasts with it and, actually, it has a small crack in the wrist of the stock. But, anything like elk, I bowhunt for and will not be going to Alaska anytime soon.

The .300 Win Mag is nearly flawless to my eye, but like I said, I'm not an expert.

That gets me to the .458 Win Mag. Yes, I could keep it in my safe until I die, but then I wonder what happens? My kid has no interest in guns, in fact, not even sure he can legally be around them let alone own one. I've just wondered, for years, if it wouldn't be more appreciated by a collector. I don't need the money. I don't need more room in my safe. It is cool owning the gun but what does it matter if nobody can appreciate it just sitting there in the dark for another 30 years?

But, with what most of you have said, it does get me thinking again about once I get rid of it, I'll never own another. I registered a few months ago wondering if I should ask my original question but never was really sure. I guess I'm still not really sure. I, suppose, that to sell a gun like this I had better be completely sure.

Thanks for the input!

You definitely need to be comfortable with your decision whatever that may be. Like you said once there gone there gone for ever.

I have asked myself this question of sell or don't sell as well. It can be a tough question.

I'd be watching/buying as well. The 458 looks to be in pretty good/collectable shape still. I'd be curious to know the serial number range to get a date of manufacture. It looks like the bolt is not jeweled which was common on the later super grades.

Good post. Thanks for taking the time to explain your situation and feelings on the subject. If I were you, I'd sell the 458 win mag, 300 wm, and keep the 375 H&H. It sounds like your grandfather loved that one the most. Like I've told people, 375's were bought to be used, the same can be said about the 270's. For some reason, those are the ones I see with the most wear and tear on them. If your 300WM is as clean as you say it is, it will bring close to $3,500.00 when the market is strong. I'd probably also keep the 300H&H, as those are sweet shooters and won't knock the hell out of you like the 300WM. This is how I'd roll if I were in your shoes:

Keep these:
1. 300 H&H
2. 375 H&H

Sell these:
1. 458WM supergrade: $8-$9,000.00
2. 300WM: $3,000.00-$3,500.00


Possibly sell the 375H&H. Gunner500 has been looking for one

Post pictures of that rifle here and we can give you a fair value for it. I'll tell you this right now, most 375's have busted/cracked stocks. That's why mine is in a McMillan!!!!

Like I said earlier, it could have been made from '59-'63, but it would be nice to have the serial # range. Usually the first 3 digits followed by XXX is all that we need. Something like this: 476xxx

.458 serial #481XXX

I was pretty close... . Yours was made in 1960

Couple more pics...
.458







It has these four or five small marks in the bluing. I'm not sure what caused it or where they came from.
[img]http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag111/arniejl/15_zpsfbq7qlqs.jpg[/img]

.375 H&H

.300 Win Mag




.300 H&H. This one I could hunt with, and maybe, someday, I will.

Do you have the swivels that came with the 458?