Left Hand Pre-64 Model 70|General Discussions & Questions|Forum|Winchester Collector

Hi, Ben.  I see you made it safely back from Baja Oklahoma.  

Two custom stockmakers of that Era come to mind, based on the “overmolded” pad shaped into the forearm, together with the extensive skip-line checkering patterns.  The rest of the stock design doesn’t ring any bells, making me think the work was done in emulation of one of these two named stockmakers, rather than themselves: 

Leonard Mews of Appleton, Wisconsin or Anthony Guyman of Bremerton, Washington. 

Because Guyman’s work almost always exhibited outrageously exaggerated pistol grips with radically flared grip caps, together with knife-edged combs and extensive inlays or carvings, I doubt this was his work or that of one of his students or followers. That is to say, this stock is too conservative for a Guyman design. 

On the other hand, the curves of the pistol grip and its cap of mildly contrasting wood,, the flow of the checkering pattern nto the stock proper, and the apparently well-executed checkering — all combine to resemble strongly the work of Mews. Despite his taste for “modern” touches, Mews was acknowledged as a first-class stockmaker, both technically and in execution. 

As you know, he was employed by Roy Weatherby to design — and, early on — to build and train others to build, Weatherby’s rifles. Before Weatherby begin making and selling a standard rifle he called the “Deluxe” based on FN Mauser actions that factory made with modifications he requested, Weatherby would modify customers’ own rifles to Weatherby calibers and restock them in the Weatherby style. 

This rifle is of the correct time period to be one of those. I would submit photos to one of the Weatherby Collector organizations and solicit opinions. 

Although dissimilar in many ways, I’ve attached  photos of a 1956 Deluxe FN Weatherby with factory  optional iron sights and factory installed Weaver Pivot Mount. This is the standard stock designed by Mews but there were options. In  Forties and until the very late Fifties, Roy Weatherby would jump through his hat to please a customer and your rifle is not inconsistent with what Weatherby would do. 

Even in 1956, Weatherby would still alter a customer’s rifle and, if he desired, restock it

. A number of Winchester Model 70 rifles got that treatment in the late Forties and in the Fifties. 

Hi Ben-

I really don’t have anything useful to contribute…  I’ve seen a couple “Southpaw” conversions done to pre-64 M70s, but I don’t recall running across any vintage ads or brochures from gunsmiths advertising the conversion.  Of course I wasn’t specifically looking…

The “usual” Winchester factory approach to accommodate left handed shooters wanting a Super Grade was to simply omit the left side cheekpiece.  Occasionally they would put on a right side cheekpiece (more expensive), like your “righty-lefty” Weatherby.  The one below is a “no cheekpiece” M70 Super Grade.  It’s an oddball for sure, with a very late standard length cloverleaf tang action (type II-2)…  It looks to me like the butt stock might also have more drop than standard, but I’m going to have to measure it…  I don’t have a “lefty cheekpiece” pre-64 M70…

Best,

Lou

Ben, Does the recoil pad state. “Weatherby Tomorrows Rifles Today”?

Not a mod. 70 but a rare bird anyway

steve004 said

Ben said
I own a 1955 Southgate Weatherby “Righty Lefty” FN action (right hand bolt w/ left hand stock)… the checkering is similar…. Leonard Mews may be the maker…. I know a couple of Weatherby collectors and will send them pics.  Thanks 
  

Interesting rifle.  That sure is an early Weatherby – don’t see many with the early Mauser action.  
  

Steve,  You are seeing something about that action that I can’t see. Is it the unswept bolt handle? I only know of two versions of FN’s 98 Mauser action that Weatherby used: The Deluxe with wing safety on the bolt; then the Supreme with sliding tab on the trigger assembly. 

On the other hand, this may have been a customer’s gun with a modified military action. 

What is it you see?

Bill

Zebulon, I am not sure when Weatherby used the recoil pads  with the Tomorrows Rifles Today.   I have a 1954 Standard Model 70 chambered in .300 H&H Magnum.  It was sent to Weatherby, and rechambered to .300 Weatherby Magnum.  The barrel states Chromed bored.  The only other Weatherby feature is the Weatherby recoil pad that states “Tomorrows Rifles Today”.  I checked three Mark 5 rifles that I own that were made in the 1960s in West Germany.  None of these rifles have the “Tomorrows Rifles Today” written on the recoil pads. 

Ben, Yes your caliber markings are the same as the ones that are on my 1954 Model 70.  They are the sign of a Weatherby’s chambering.   Are either of your rifles chromed bored?