Paul Walker’s Custom Winchester Model 70 .375 H&H Pre-64 Blue 18 1/2" Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1954 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,525.00
LSB#: 
190524PW03
Make: Winchester
Model: Custom Model 70
Serial Number: 239562
Year of Manufacture: 1954
Caliber: .375 Holland and Holland Magnum
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U. S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-”, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-”, and “MODEL 70 – 375 H&H MAGNUM-”. The left side of the barrel at the receiver and the receiver at the barrel are marked with circled “WP” proofs. The left side of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER” above the stock-line and “TRADE MARK” below. The right side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked “239562”.
Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 18 1/2″.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood which is not present. The rear of the barrel is drilled, tapped and filled for a rear sight which is not present. The top of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for mounting a scope (none included). The left-rear of the receiver is drilled and tapped and the left of the stock relieved for a Redfield peep sight adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, monte-carlo comb, solid brown rubber Kick-Eez buttpad and sling swivels front and rear. The stock has scattered light wear, mostly toward the rear which shows some thinning and crazing in the finish, a few light scratches and scuffs and a few other light marks scattered throughout. The checkering shows light handling wear but is well defined, mostly sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 12 3/4″ to the back of the wood. The pad is still supple with light wear and minor discoloration around the edges, in about Fine condition. The stock rates in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its current metal finish. The bolt has operational wear and there are light tool marks at the mounting screw behind the trigger guard. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine-plus condition as refinished and customized and would rate Excellent but for the wear in the stock.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the right side of the receiver. Pushed forwards, the safety is OFF. If pulled back all the way, it locks both the bolt and the trigger. If pulled back half-way, it blocks only the trigger. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a notarized letter from Paul Walker, Sr. confirming that it came from the collection of Paul Walker
Our Assessment: This rifle comes from the collection of the late actor Paul Walker, best known for his role in The Fast and The Furious movie franchise. It is a 1954 vintage pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 rifle chambered in .375 H&H Magnum. The rifle has been customized with the barrel cut back to 18 1/2″, a Redfield peep sight installed on the receiver and a monte-carlo stock installed with Kick-Eez buttpad. The pre-64 Winchester Model 70 actions are prized by shooters and collectors alike for their smoothness and reliability, and this one is no exception. The Model 70 was the favorite hunting rifle of a plethora of knowledgeable sportsmen and gun writers of the era who sang its praises and also became the favorite American action on which to base a fine custom sporter. Pre-1964 Model 70s have a controlled feed action whereby the bolt picks up the cartridge as it is stripped from the magazine, capturing it by the extractor, and holding the cartridge against the front face of the bolt as it is being fed into the chamber. Besides feeding the cartridge it into the chamber more reliably with a push feed system, the extractor is also larger, allowing extraction of stuck cases that might defeat a smaller push feed extractor. The .375 H&H Magnum is the smallest cartridge that is legal to hunt the Big Three (Lion, Elephant and Cape Buffalo) in Africa. It is a very flat shooting cartridge compared to the larger .416 Rigby and .458 Winchester, and is perhaps more versatile as it is also very useful on thinner skinned game like the larger antelopes and other North American game. Between its ownership history, its unique features and the quality of the pre-64 Model 70s, this is a great rifle for any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible rifle can be transferred in California. All C&R and Modern firearms sold to CA residents must be DROSd. This section does not apply to out of state residents.