M70 , 1958 375hh value

[62flint]

I picked up a M70 in 375HH. Serial number puts it as a 1958 manufacturer.
I know nothing else about the rifle. Except it shoots well and I am very satisfied with it.
But I have a nagging burning question. What is it really worth? Did I pay too much or did I get a deal?
If some would offer ball park opinions I would appreciate it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

What did you pay? Scope included? No iron sights?

 

[uplander01]

If that’s all Winchester factory work,..stock and engraving, which it may be, it’s worth more than if an unknown did all the fancy work on it. I’d contact Winchester with the serial number and inquire. Looks like a nice rifle, clearly someone had their sights on Alaska with it.

 

[62flint]

What did you pay? Scope included? No iron sights?

A Leupold vx3 1-4 with Leupold rings and base came with it.
I have since put another Leupold on it with Talley rings and bases. So if you look at the pictures closely. You will see two different scopes.
Has a front site. Not rear. Plugs in the screw holes.
Another rear site is on my to do list. In case any one reading this happens to have one.

Rather not say what I paid right yet. I had it appraised locally and it came in for half of what I paid. Actually they valued it less than what new production m70s bring.
I am not selling it either way. Just want to put my mind at ease.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I believe New England Custom Gun makes a reproduction sight for that one. I have also seen them come up on ebay from time to time.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

With all the engraving I'm guessing about $8500 to the right buyer? How's the floorplate look?

Edit: I see you posted more images while I was writing.

 

[Russ16]

It looks like a custom stock and engraving done at some point after production. In that case it is hard to put a value on it. It’s worth what someone will pay. Also hard to estimate that without looking at it in person so that the quality of the stock work and engraving can be really evaluated. Tough to do in pictures.

 

[Nevada Mike]

That’s not factory work, but the stock looks well done. Stop worrying about what you paid for it… likely that your local appraisal is way off the mark… and it’s done. Enjoy it.

 

[Hooked Now]

Im with @Nevada Mike. Handsome rifle. I'd be proud to have it in the safe AND take it somewhere with zero bears to shoot at. Nice rifle!

 

[DLSJR]

Beautiful rifle. Keep it, take it to Africa, shoot some dangerous game with it and never look back. You’ve got an excellent rifle.

 

[Elkeater]

No idea what it’s worth but sure looks like a nice rifle from the pictures. Certainly a nice piece of wood from what I can see. I’d be happy owning something like that.

 

[Mekaniks]

Very well done custom rifle. I agree with "keep it, shoot it, take it hunting".

Stuff is worth what you can get for it.... Custom rifles are difficult because they are a much smaller niche market than the "all original" collectors market.
First step is to contact Winchester and get any info they have....
Then hopefully figure out who, when, and where the custom work was done...
All of that is going to figure into "what its worth"
If you can find the right person and / or market it may be worth a lot...

 

[dogcat1]

Used customs do not sell for a premium these days. Assuming you have all paperwork, know the engraver and the action is all original, you may get $5k.

 

[Uncontrolled_round_feed]

Similar situation here (1950s 375 H&H owner)…since you’re asking, I’d say you overpaid if it was more than $2300
The stock is nice wood, although the pistol grip not to my taste
The engraving takes away a lot of value. Easy way to think about it…that magazine floor plate untarnished is $200…with the cartoonish bear and amateur scrollwork it’s worth zero.

 

[RedTag]

A Leupold vx3 1-4 with Leupold rings and base came with it.
I have since put another Leupold on it with Talley rings and bases. So if you look at the pictures closely. You will see two different scopes.
Has a front site. Not rear. Plugs in the screw holes.
Another rear site is on my to do list. In case any one reading this happens to have one.

Rather not say what I paid right yet. I had it appraised locally and it came in for half of what I paid. Actually they valued it less than what new production m70s bring.
I am not selling it either way. Just want to put my mind at ease.

If your local appraiser told you that rifle is worth less than one of the new Portuguese rifles, may I suggest that you seek a second opinion.
While aftermarket parts and engravings do nothing for collectors who crave mint condition all-original pre ‘64 guns, and these things may decrease the value in their opinions, to say that any pre ‘64 M70 in good condition is worth less than a comparable new Portuguese rifle is greatly exaggerating the value of the new rifle. The new rifles are generally quite good, but I personally don’t really care for their MOA trigger assembly. That reason alone is enough for me to lean towards a pre ‘64 rifle instead, nostalgia and collector value aside.
The real questions to ask yourself are: 1. Do you really like the rifle?, and 2. Can you realistically find something equal or better in quality and appearance for equal or less money? If the answer to the first is yes then the answer to the second is most likely no.
If you find yourself losing sleep over whether you paid too much for your gun, just put her up for sale at the price you paid. I can practically guarantee that another guy will snatch her up, and you’ll have the money for that new Portuguese M70…

 

[62flint]

If your local appraiser told you that rifle is worth less than one of the new Portuguese rifles, may I suggest that you seek a second opinion.
While aftermarket parts and engravings do nothing for collectors who crave mint condition all-original pre ‘64 guns, and these things may decrease the value in their opinions, to say that any pre ‘64 M70 in good condition is worth less than a comparable new Portuguese rifle is greatly exaggerating the value of the new rifle. The new rifles are generally quite good, but I personally don’t really care for their MOA trigger assembly. That reason alone is enough for me to lean towards a pre ‘64 rifle instead, nostalgia and collector value aside.
The real questions to ask yourself are: 1. Do you really like the rifle?, and 2. Can you realistically find something equal or better in quality and appearance for equal or less money? If the answer to the first is yes then the answer to the second is most likely no.
If you find yourself losing sleep over whether you paid too much for your gun, just put her up for sale at the price you paid. I can practically guarantee that another guy will snatch her up, and you’ll have the money for that new Portuguese M70…

Thank you for the response.
To answer your questions, I do really like the rifle. And no I doubt I can get a better looking or shooting rifle than what I paid for it.
It will shoot a Barnes 300gr tsx around 1 inch or better at 100 yards routinely.
Per a previous poster’s recommendation I did email Winchester just to see what they had to say.
But the rifle has a great trigger smooth action shoots well and I hope to pass it on to one of my grand kids one day.

 

[BJH65]

That’s a beautiful rifle. I have several custom rifles as well and yes, I’ve had fleeting thoughts previously: did I over pay? What is it worth? But they are used for hunting not collecting and that is their primary purpose and they are excellent for that purpose as is your beautiful 375 H&H. As others have stated, it’s worth whatever someone is willing to pay. Take it out hunting and enjoy, baptize it in blood.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It will be a great heirloom. A memorable piece of craftsmanship. I built a 404J on 98 Mauser two years ago. Got it done in time for my fourth safari. Hope it will make another trip over but who knows. I built it mostly for the challenge. My grandson may get it. Hopefully. If not it could be sold for maybe a little more than I've got invested. But I suspect the personal connection will keep it in the family for a couple of generations. Something unique has more probability of surviving our demise. Hopefully you will have time to attach some stories to go with the craftsmanship. I think you made a good choice. Price tag is immaterial.

 

[Roosterlund]

Take a peek on Gunbroker under custom Winchester m70. She’s worth a pretty penny!!! The Portuguese don’t even make a car. They definitely don’t know how to make a Genuine Winchester!!!!