Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Pre 64 supergrade help

Could never really afford the collector grade stuff so always bought users. I have always wanted one supergrade just to say I had one. Figured it would be an 06. Well, my brother called today and said he had two in front of him. I did end up with them, but there are issues. I guess I wanted to run the basics by guys more knowledgeable than me just to get some thoughts.

First one is a 257 roberts in the 180k serial number range. Stock is original, but some doof thought it would be a good idea to take an inch off and put a pad on it. In looking the rifle over im sure its been restored. Action color is close, but not quite right. Bolt is also not engine turned with a blued extractor but is numbered to the gun. Bottom metal is also not quite right as it is like the action color. Barrel color looks right, but no wear so I'm wondering.

2nd is a 375. In looking it appears to be a type I/II. As a matter of fact it is exactly 30 digits lower than the one pictured on page 132 of Rules book. Clover leaf tang, however the rear bridge is tapped. It has the correct 25 inch tube, and a solid red pad. However, the rear sight holes have been plugged and its wearing a lyman rear peep. Bore is like new, and the bolt matches. However, like the 257, it is the same, not engine turned and blued extractor. Metal coloring look correct, but I'm questioning it. Both do have SG floorplates. What is most puzzling to me on this one is the stock. It is super clean, not hardly a mark. However, it is not the typical Winchester red. Not sure if it is original and freshened up or what. It looks correct, but the finish is throwing me.

Long story short, I guess I'm just kind of wondering what guys here think as far as value. I know they're not correct enough to be collectors, at least in my opinion, but obviously there's also not a ton out there either so there still is some, even as shooters. I guess I hope folks will chime in, good or bad.

A picture or two of each and you may get some opinions.

I knew that was coming, and I'd really like to, but for whatever reason it won't attach them. I am technologically stupid though.

Try postimage.

I did, it just gave me the crash face.

Winchester did not begin engine-turning bolts and extractors on SG’s until 1954.

Ok, so maybe thats correct, were 47 and in the 52 ball park.

I got no problem with posting pics, it just won't let me. Regardless I do know they're still not absolutely correct.

IMGUR. I look forward to seeing pics. I almost bought a very nice supergrade that also had some issues. It was glass bedded and the barrel floated. Had a trigger shoe installed, but the guy was supposedly the original owner. He said it didn't have the original barrel and that it was sent back to Winchester for the re-barrel. It was chambered in 220 Swift. Guy said he loved shooting it in his younger days, the reason the factory barrel was replaced. He was in his 80's. That was another dumb move on my part for not buying it. At least I could say I knew the history on it even though it was not all original. He wanted $1,000.00 for it and it was a pretty little rifle. This was at one of my favorite small town gunshows about 4 or 5 years ago.. Another guy I know has a supergrade, but it's been messed with. He's a guy I bought my pre 64 300WBY from for $499. Anyway, this supergrade has a damn black diamond in the stock and the guy says it is a "diamond grade" supergrade. If it didn't have the damn diamond in the stock, I would have bought the damn thing. I'm fairly sure he still has it. He acts like its something special and keeps it at his house instead of his gun shop. One thing I do not like about the supergrades is often times its hard to spot a fake and I've been warned that there a many out there. Just something to be mindful of when you are looking at them.

Bsa, thanks, and I just tried that to. I've always appreciated you and the help you've given me. I'm not sure if someone can help, but ill email a couple pics too. No one is going to hurt my feelings based on my description, I know that can be hard and makes people hesitant. I'm like that too, got no issues telling what I paid, I guess I was going off of parts value and don't think I got stung bad if I did based on calibers. If I recall, I paid the same for my standard 375 that I did for this.

You prolly shoulda bought the swift, lol. Back then, guns was nothing more than a tool, no different than a hammer. Did what was best at the time, and if the barrel was shot, ya fixed it. You'd have done the same, lol.

By description the .375 sounds like something I'd want. Have a prewar '06 SG with D&T'd rear bridge. As if I care, since I gave $600 for it. It does 1" for 5 2700 fps 180s at 100 yds, something I do care about.

There is nothing wrong with non-original condition so long as you didn't pay for original condition.

I sure would have buddy. Your rifles sound really interesting. One thing about them, is they don't make them like that anymore. One thing I should have said is the supergrades have always intrigued me. They are just nice rifles and some are damn beautiful. Even if they are not 100% original, I'd still take one with a recoil pad added over a new BACO. That may just be me though..

I agree.

I get it they are shooter Super Grades. Great hunting rifles. How the blue looks would affect me and the value big time. Heck they may be original finish if you post a pic. Or if they are buffed out all to hell and letters blurred we are talking a big hit on value. The 375 being a prewar with an extra hole may have had other things done for scope clearance unless they used a skinny scope from back in the day. Those guns could be from $500 each to $1,500.00 each. That is the best I will say without pics.

Ha, I know ya woulda and I agree, much better

Likely not "$500", as I've seen just H&H actions sell for $1,000.00 by themselves. The H&H receiver is still quite popular.

Ak wolverine offered to post pics if I texted them. I left my phone where I got invited to dinner. I'll have it back tomorrow so ill get them to him then if no one can do it via email.

Lettering is not blurred,if refinished they did a decent job. If they were blurred I'd know they were messed with for sure and I'd say it. I dunno, im not into parting things, so I'd never do that, but I guess I looked at them from a parts perspective, and I would think they'd bring it if a guy wanted to. I won't be. I gave 28 for the pair, 15 on the 375, 13 on the roberts. Some had to do with calibers as well. I guess the way I look at it, ill give 5 all day long for any pre 64 as long as its solid, regardless of condition. Its a good donor at that. I'm kind of in the same ballpark with early classics.

ya, bsa, I know at one time they were averaging about 9. Whether they were still there or not I wasn't sure.

ya, bsa, I know at one time they were averaging about 9. Whether they were still there or not I wasn't sure.