These were actually quite interesting GENRE rifles. The capitalization for emphasis. The rifle itself was essentially the Nikko Golden Eagle Model 7000 of latter seventies, made in Japan. It was a rear locking lug action!!! While I know nothing about this Winchester variant, the appearance and my presumption that the bit similar model number series, portends the same rear locking rifle. All this, moving to a Japanese manufacturer and that rear lockup system, a definite sea change for the Winchester firm. Of course, the era this rifle was manufactured was the tumultuous one as Winchester was negotiating to morph into US Repeating Arms Co. A firm trying to find itself.
The Nikko rifle was top quality, just for the American public "different". The Schultz & Larsen rifle of the mid fifties to latter sixties, reflected the situation of American shooters not particularly imbued with rear lockups! That despite S&L rifles also top quality!
What's being marketed in the referenced listing is one of those things that will appeal to some collectors, but moreover investors. Saying that, I don't think it a particularly good one an believe the listed rifle is overpriced. And saying that... As prices go nowadays on the big national exposure gun sites, likely it will sell.
Whenever I think of the Nikko product of reference, I recall he action left receiver wall with the billboard like "Golden Eagle" in huge letters. Neatly done, but I never liked it and wonder if such was a negative aspect of sales. Needing to remember that in the latter seventies/early eighties era, Japanese rifles were a mixed American shooter approval commodity.
I sure wouldn't mind having a Golden Eagle or the Winchester product, but not for the price in the listing of reference!!! Also just the aside that despite the fact I have a lot of 30-06 rifles, I'm not inspired by the chambering. Such as the three sevens, are more my speed: 7mm08, 7x57 or 7 Rem Mag... Thank you very much!
Just my take
John
