Saw a similar rifle here back in September seeking relative prices on one seen for sale.
Mine is original with steel
checked Winchester butt plate. It also has an original Griffin &Howe side mount with 2.5X Lyman Alaskan scope.


For those who still think that Winchester never placed these G&H rigs on Model 70s, look at the front covers of the 1950s
American Rifleman until you wake up. Then check Rule's book carefully. I wish I had carried this rifle in northern I-Corps back in 1970
with a 5513 Rolex Submariner purchased at the Quang Tri PX.

At any rate, my picture taking is about as good as my eye sight from being over the hill. Should carry it to Alaska-but an early companion M70 .375 H&H gets the nod.
Or-a pre-war Deluxe Model 71 in 450 Alaskan in the alders. (Done by Bill Fuller).

Decisions-decisions on this Model 70 300 H&H. But it does'nt eat anything or use gas................

.....and you could eat it if you were starving.

450Fuller: I would pass.
Installation of that Griffin & Howe side mount and the resulting irreparable holes, just murders collectors values - been there, done that.
No matter WHO drilled the holes.
IF... you want it for a shooter that's one thing, but true collectors value has been GREATLY diminished.
Good luck to you what ever you decide.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Everyone has an opinion. Anyone who has been in pea soup fog with a bear or moose at 60 yards has a different opinion on G&H side mounts.

The last 24 inch pre-war heavy barrel 375 Super Grade I sold went for much more than I thought. It was G&H equipped. But, Alaska hunters/collectors are
a different breed. Collectors are individuals. Think you mis-read the post...the 300 H&H SG has been mine for 15 years.

Not sure I agree here. By this logic any rifle in other than bone stock configuration has diminishes collector value. For instance, you often see 1886 deluxe rifles that letter with climin’ lyman sights. Collector value destroyed? I don’t think so. The difference being there are no factory letters for model 70s but if someone can prove they are factory alterations then it’s not modified, it’s as the manufacturer shipped it. Plus I like the G&H mounts so I’m biased anyway.

Varmintguy is right. It greatly depreciates the value of the rifle. Ive seen some nice rifles just sit and not sell at gunshows and locally, due to extra holes drilled into the side of the receiver. G&H side mounts are uggly as hell, and based on the super low prices (sub $500) of some of these pre 64's, others besides me and varmintguy dislike them.

Yes, the crux of the issue is proving that they are factory modifications in the absence of a factory letter. An 1886 Deluxe with a Climin’ Lyman that is verified by a factory letter is much more desirable (and has significantly more collector value) than the exact same gun without factory provenance.

Agreed