Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Holy Grail

So here is a posting from this morning of the "holy grail" of pre-64 Model 70's. The Supergrade Featherweight. Maybe it's my constant reading of forums that makes me a cynic when it comes to these rare versions to think something is off. It looks so immaculate that I question it. The receiver has an oddly similar finish to the barrel, which seems a bit off as though the receiver was possibly re-blued. But the proofs look pretty good, so maybe I'm wrong on that.

If it's legitimate, it's an absolute beauty.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...-06-extremely-rare-.cfm?gun_id=102261672

Thoughts? Real deal, unadulterated?

Superficially, it "looks good". The fact of an alloy floorplate that's Super Grade marked, adds some measure of credibility. Moreover the "disclosure remark, the seller sounds good. No way I'd pay such figure, but that wasn't your question.
Best!
John

Bobdahunter: Looked like it was "original" (unadulterated) at one time to me.
No way would I pay that amount with the poor "gypsy bondo" job it now has.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

It looks all original to me. Bluing on the receiver and barrel are correct. I would not fret that. The glass bedding does reduce collectability IMHO, and the floor plate looks out of place, like it was switched out for some reason. Maybe the original got damaged or it showed more signs of use, so it was replaced? I can't see paying that much for a mostly all original rifle. If it were 100%, I could see the value up there around $7,000.00, but not more than that. With the glass bedding, I'd deduct some from the overall value. As is, I'd probably not pay more than $5,600.00 for a rifle like that one. Just me though, as someone will probably pay the asking price. May be one to keep an eye on for sure. Thanks for posting the link!

I don't know (or own one) but should the bolt be jeweled on a SG of that era?

It's hard for me to believe the buttplate would have those dings but not a scratch anywhere else on the gun. I know it could have been handled alot and held with the buttplate to the ground but it falls into that "too good to be true" category to me.

It seems that some folks will go a long ways to spruce up a really rare gun in hopes of fooling a less experienced collector. Kinda like why no one counterfeits $1 or $5 bills.

Yes.

The seller moves a ton of high end collectible pre-64s. He seems to have a client list with deep pockets, and his reputation is very good. Most are gone within the day. I would be very surprised if this one lasts long.