Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors 358 p64 fw on GB

I think because something 'suspect' is so easy to walk away from, even a caveman can do it, plus, it's MUCH cheaper on all fronts.

A bit off topic but is a 358 fwt barrel the same profile and muzzle diameter as the other cartridges chambered in fwts? (curious as that .550 muzzle would make for a pretty skinny barrel with the .358 hole in it)

I have a 358 FW that was bought new by a close (local and lifelong) friend’s father. He now lives in the same house his father grew up in, where the gun resided since it was purchased new. I ended up buying it from him a few years ago. The father has passed, but I spoke with him about the gun many years ago (before I bought it and long before he or I knew it had collector value) and he told me it was the first rifle he bought brand new. He went on to say that he just “had to have” the 358 chambering once he heard about it, and that pushed him to order his first brand new rifle. He told me through the years that he grew to regret the decision because he had trouble finding ammo for it locally.

It’s an early low-comb variation.

Anyway, I believe it is 100% correct and will check the “358” stamp when I get home tonight. I don’t know if the “5” is even or below the level, but whichever way it is, I’m certain it was stamped that way at the factory.

This man owned the rifle since new AND didn’t particular seem to like it, let alone put a value on it high enough to warrant any fakery or forgery. So it ought to be a good representation of what a factory stamp for an early 358 FW should look like.

Jsgwoodsman: Would love to see a photo of that stamping if possible.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmintGuy

I’ll snap one and upload it here!

That's great jsgwoodsman, I'm curious too.

The lighting was tricky and I’m no great photographer, but here it is. The “5” is definitely lower than the 3 and 8 on mine. And I noticed where the top of the 5 struck the barrel, the edge is a bit flattened out. I don’t know if this is only in my rifle or others too?

If you look back in this post I pictured 3 seperate rifles, including the one in question, that have the same anomaly. A couple very knowledgeable M70 guys have also stated this is correct. The rifle in question has since sold for the asking price, we can probably stop beating this dead horse.

Now we can move on to debating whether jsg's rifle is original.

Thanks for the pics jsg....very informative.

Well there you have it. I'm a believer now.

It's good to get to the bottom of these things. Now the whole world can buy a poorly struck 358 and know they have a right gun.

These are the questions a collectors forum should be addressing

Good call!

jsgwoodsman,
Two things:
Thanks for the pics.
Damn fine pics!!!

Jsgwoodsman: Your picture is excellent - thank you!
And your pictured Rifles caliber stamping matches my Rifles EXACTLY!
Like I mentioned in my previous posting the original linked to 358 was certainly a factory correct Rifle.
As our mine - as is yours.
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

99guy: I don't think the picture posted by Jsgwoodsman shows a "poorly struck 358" - I contend it shows a well "struck" (roll stamped) caliber designation on a barrel. That was "made" (struck or rolled) WITH a roll die that has a "5" that was created being a few thousandths shorter than the 3" and the "8" that adjoins it!
This is what I have observed for decades now!
It is the tiniest of aberrations but it is "right".
I'd bet on it - based on my experiences and the previously referenced depiction in Roger Rules book as well.
Long live the Rifleman's Rifle.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Very interesting development on the "5".

You’re both welcome -
You never know what may be sitting in a broom closet in a Vermont farmhouse for decades... but when you find it, it’s nice to know (if possible) if it’s original or not!

NICE! that helps, a lot, Thanks.

I wouldn't debate or get hung up on the language used. Important thing is there seems to be a consensus that the gun and other guns similarly struck or rolled are right.

2 days ago I would not have bought that gun, today I would. I suspect others are of similar mind.

Tmitch: I went back to the original posters gunbroker link and according to what I read there there were NO bids on the Rifle in question - the auction has ended but again no bids were made there on gunbroker.
Do you have information to the contrary?
The reason I ask is so's I can update the values on my firearms inventories.
TIA for any information.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy