Value of Winchester 70-264
I would like to sell my Winchester 70-264 rifle. It was graded by a local shop as being at LEAST 90% if not 95%. This rifle is beautiful.
I started a thread on this about a year ago, but got pulled into other interests. I have re-posted all the photos, as well as two new HD videos.
Serial number is 539641. Bolt serial matches. Scope is a B&L Balfour, guessing 8 or 10x, fixed.
Love to hear some input so I can get this rifle listed and sold.
Why am I selling? This was something I inherited from my father. It was a hunting rifle that belonged to a friend of his. As he never shot it, and only possessed it, the rifle has no sentimental value to me. Additionally, as this rifle is a collector's item, and because I do not collect - I cannot truly appreciate it, the only thing I can do by keeping it in my personal possession is to eventually damage it, and I sure as heck wouldn't shoot it. I would much rather that another individual enjoy this, because it really is quite beautiful.
Here are the photos: http://gallery.me.com/jeffdubya#100044&bgcolor=black&view=grid
I started a thread on this about a year ago, but got pulled into other interests. I have re-posted all the photos, as well as two new HD videos.
Serial number is 539641. Bolt serial matches. Scope is a B&L Balfour, guessing 8 or 10x, fixed.
Love to hear some input so I can get this rifle listed and sold.
Why am I selling? This was something I inherited from my father. It was a hunting rifle that belonged to a friend of his. As he never shot it, and only possessed it, the rifle has no sentimental value to me. Additionally, as this rifle is a collector's item, and because I do not collect - I cannot truly appreciate it, the only thing I can do by keeping it in my personal possession is to eventually damage it, and I sure as heck wouldn't shoot it. I would much rather that another individual enjoy this, because it really is quite beautiful.
Here are the photos: http://gallery.me.com/jeffdubya#100044&bgcolor=black&view=grid
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AS best I can tell from the photos I would call it a 95% original finish and unmodified rifle. The Balfor is a 4X fixed power. The B & L scope mounts have the later type propeller type nut for tightening the rings to the base. This is considered an improvement and better than the earlier plunger type ring assembly. The scope is period correct for the rifle. I think it is nice enough to attract collectors. For pricing information I suggest you go to gunbroker and do a smart search of completed auctions of similar rifles. Totally disregard minimum bids as what has been paid or has been bid on an item is the only thing that is meaningful in establishing value.
Edited after jeffdubya's post below:
jeffdubya, back in the 1949 to 1963 period, when your scope was made, B & L identified the power by the name of the model. See below.
B & L Baltur 2.5X
B & L Balfor 4X
B & L Balvar 4 2.5X to 4X
B & L Balvar 8 2.5X to 8X
B & L Balsix 6X
B & L Baleight 8X
This information is from the book, Old Rifle Scopes by Nick Stroebel.
I presently own and have previously owned some of these fine old B & L scopes and from my personal experience I can confirm that the book is correct as to the model names and powers of these scopes. There is no Balten listed.
Edit 2: jeffdubya, Stroebel's book gives a value range for the Balfor as $45 to $90. The book is 10 years old but I think the prices would be about the same considering current economic conditions. I have a Balvar 5 complete with ring assemblyi that I have taken to 4 or 5 gunshows with a price tag of $110 and have had no takers. I suggest leaving the scope and mounts on the rifle. It will not sell for much more with the scope but the scope and rings alone would be a hard sell for $100.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Herschel
The Balfor is a 4X fixed power. The B & L scope mounts have the later type propeller type nut for tightening the rings to the base. This is considered an improvement and better than the earlier plunger type ring assembly.
Herschel, respectfully disagree on the magnification... the standards available from what I can discern were 4X, 8X and 10X. Definitely not a 4. Could be an 8, but side by side with a Leupold still seemed more like 10. Should there be a marking somewhere on the scope that would indicate magnification? Thank you for your response...
Edit: Received preliminary information from a local gun dealer whom I trust very much, and then my own eyesight. He set up my winchester side by side with a Leupold and we did visual comparison. If I am wrong, I need new glasses worse than I think I do, but I am willing to accept that premise. Thank you for your thoughtful response... model clearly says "Balfor" so that being the case, I will schedule a trip to the optometrist ASAP...
Edit 2: do they list a value for an excellent condition balfor? Should I list it separately or sell the rifle/scope combination?0 -
Jeff,
You being a fellow Washingtonian I'll do the best I can for ya.
There where 20,996 rifles manufactured in the same configuration as yous. In pre 64 model 70 speak, thats desirable. Your rifle with the period scope is very desirable. Here is a link to one I have on the auction side:http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=194969825
As you can see, it's not as correct as your rifle. The big issue being the recoil pad. The big plus is the barrel being very good. You need to use a bore scope on your rifle and determine the condition of the bore. 264s are famous for throat errosion, it's not common to find one thats been shot much with a good barrel.
The 264 was the first Winchester magnum, it came out in 1958. There where plenty of model 70s chambered in 300 H&H befor 1958, but, that was not a Winchester caliber, it was created by Holland & Holland of London, England long befor 1958.
So much for 264 history. If your rifle has a good barrel, I would start your auction at $1,750.00 and let the market decide. Don't put a reserve on it, just start it at your bottom dollar and see what happens. If you've realy got to have top dollar you should sit on it until the present addministration is out of office, and the economy is improved. Good, quality Winchester rifles, that are correct, are a very good investment, and will only increase in value.
Welcome back to the forum.
W.D.0 -
@Capn, will do on the bore scope. I currently have the rifle on consignment with an artificially high price, $2200, but I figured better to have it being shown and insured by someone else rather than just in the safe here at home. The worst that could happen is a counter offer, or possibly someone with money to burn has to have that rifle. Ultimately, I believe that I will have to put in on GunBroker to get a good price. 0 -
Jeff,
It's all about exposure. More people will see it on GB in a day, that are interested in that type of rifle, than will walk through that gun shop door in a week. Take the bolt out and get a picture of the serial number on it, it should match the rifle. Collectors like to see this.
Good luck.
W.D.0 -
quote:Originally posted by CapnMidnight
Take the bolt out and get a picture of the serial number on it, it should match the rifle. Collectors like to see this.
One of the HD videos on the photo page referenced above does exactly that.
http://gallery.me.com/jeffdubya#100044/Untitled&bgcolor=black
The dealer who has it now scoped the bore, he says it is VERY clean. "Doesn't look like it was shot more than a few times, it's as close to new as I have ever seen."0
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