Winchester Model 70 Custom Maple

nononsense

June 14, 2009 11:40

Wittum,

Here is a picture:

"Or does anyone know of a way to identify a gun is a custom maple gun?"

The question as worded is really nebulous but I think I understand where you might want to go with this.

There was a 'custom' run of Model 70's that were stocked by Fajen with maple stocks. I continually state that there is a constant misuse of the term 'custom' by far too many folks actually in the industry and the regular population in general. However, if you choose to label these as being 'custom', so be it. All they did was send some barreled actions to Fajen and let them screw them into these stocks.

These were easily identifiable due the fact that the checkered panels were stained black. Stupid idea if you ask me since it turned off large numbers of folks and these went begging for buyers in the open market. Maple is a hard sell on its own but do something ugly and things go bad real quick. If it doesn't have black stain then it probably wasn't done by Winchester for this run. If it lacks stain, it could still be and probably is a custom produced by a stockmaker or gunsmith.

Post a picture of the one you saw and lets talk it over.

Best.

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Wittum

June 14, 2009 11:56

Thanks for the pic.

I noticed that the only thing I could find in the blue book said "Custom Maple" and they were very high dollar, so that is the only thing I had to go by.

At the shop, the gun is labeled Custom Classic Sporter. I need to go back and look at it again.

The gun at the shop has a black solid winchester recoil pad. I need to go check the checkering.

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nononsense

June 14, 2009 11:58

Wittum,

That sounds like this run of stocks. Take a little digital camera or use a phone camera if you have one so we can get a look at it also.

Best.

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Wittum

June 14, 2009 12:36

I went back and checked it out again...Here are some pics.

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He Dog

June 14, 2009 12:55

What is the caliber and asking price Wittum? With all due respect to Nononsense, I kinda like it.[:I]

Nononsense, I agree it is kind of over the top, and I would prefer a little staining and muting of that very blonde maple, but that tiger striping sure would have been fine on a Pennsylvania rifle. Those California roll over stocks are over the top too, but I have one on a H&R 300 Ultra that fits me like I was born with it there, so I am always repelled and attracted about equally. I admit that $2K or anywhere in that neighborhood is well beyond what I would put into it.

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nononsense

June 14, 2009 13:00

Wittum,

Good job with the photographs! Thanks.

Yup, it's the same rifle that Winchester did up several years ago. I don't remember what the Custom Shop price was when these were originally released but I've seen them recently for under $2000.00 usually.

Best.

ADDED:

He Dog,

You won't offend me. Opinions about what looks good is what keeps us all in business. I will admit that I was struck by their uniqueness the first time I saw them at S.H.O.T. Show but I gradually lost my appetite for the black checkering. I have always had a soft spot for maple stocks done with either ebony or rosewood tips and caps. We used to use maple for some heavy recoiling, big bore African rifles. It was that Eastern rock hard maple that was tedious (read PIA) to inlet though, not this softer western stuff.

Best.

ADDED:

I have to admit too, that this stock is loaded with fiddleback nose to tail. There is even some spaulted wood in the butt which I think is tough to avoid in fancier woods.

The Rollover takes a lot of beatings simply because of the dated look attached to the style. I use rollovers on many of my hunting stocks because I have a longer neck and need the height and they just feel proper against my cheek bone. A plain old Monte Carlo likes to darn near break my cheek bone!

I would have a hard time coming up with something similar to this that I would pay $2000.00 for and I can't. But I can't argue with or fault those folks that can pay that much and be happy with the purchase. It takes all of to make this world go 'round.

Best.

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Wittum

June 14, 2009 13:09

nononsense- Thanks for all your help. The gun is a 30-06. What do you think would be a good price to get this gun for? It also has a Leupold VXIII 3.5X10 on it. I am thinking about getting it. I really don't buy a lot of these type rifles...But I like this one.

Where I got the whole "Custom Maple" title from was page 1973 in the BBGV 2008 (29th edition) it says Model 70 "Custom Maple" and says it has a sporter barrel...limited to 2006...So is this it?

Thanks for all your help!
RW

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nononsense

June 14, 2009 13:42

Wittum,

Take this answer for what it's worth.

Every time I write my opinion about the value of a particular genre or model of firearm, I get thrown to the wolves who are the Collectors here on Gunbroker. I don't collect, I build and shoot. Life's too short to keep a bunch of almost expensive rifles locked up in a safe because someone wants to see them to go up in price so they can call them investments.

My solution for you is to take a run over to the Auction side and have a look around at the Leupold scopes and Winchester rifles to get a good feel for the GENERAL pricing. Then let's see if some of the other folks that keep track of prices will jump in here and offer you some of their advice.

That's the best I can offer without suffering from bite marks...

Best.

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sandwarrior

June 16, 2009 01:08

Wittum,

I have to say I like the look of that rifle. It appears to me to be in very good condition. It reminds me of when I bought a pair of cowboy boots down in Texas that were light colored. Nobody in NV, where I'm from, wore light colored cowboy boots. I caught some guff from people about them for a while. Then I noticed a few more started popping up. Now it's not such a big deal. This stock is a style. It looks nice to some and to others it doesn't. If you like it for it's looks, then buy it for it's looks. The rifle is a Winchester 70. If you like how Winchester 70's perform then buy them for how they perform. My personal bottom line on any firearm is "How does it perform?" Not looks, ...performs. I do like looks in a firearm. Engraving and unique stocks to me enhances the value considerably just because I like the way people can add art to an item of function. Again though, bottom line pops up in that it has to function.

For pricing I would say it's an offshoot of a Super Grade. In looking at the auction side I saw bids in the $700's-$1200's. Is it worth two grand? I didn't see bids on Win 70 S/G's that high. Only get it for that if you want to pay that much for added looks. Are there features on the rifle that make it easier to handle, shoot(sights?), unload, etc.? Those add function, and to me therefore, value. Something to consider.

If you want to pick it up as a collection piece. I'm sure it will increase in value over time. It's a kind of a crap-shoot sometimes as to what will be the big collector's item down the road.

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nononsense

June 16, 2009 03:19

sandwarrior,

Good to see you posting!

The price reference I gave was for the exact same rifle but in 7mm Rem. Mag. in another 'for sale' venue. NIB, never fired. I have since see a couple more in that same range but slightly less money.

This is not a Super Grade nor should it be confused as such. It's a Classic, as marked. It was just stuck in one of these maple stocks as an attempt to stimulate the market. While I applaud Winchester and any of the other manufacturers for attempts such as this, it unfortunately was not well received by the public at-large.

I've had a great many opportunities to shoot a whole bunch of ugly guns over the years and this will unfortunately have to continue as it's part of the process. Pragmatic, utilitarian firearms are as much a part of the world of firearms as the superbly customized, engraved masterpieces that we see in all the glossy gun rags. Ugly doesn't imply or state that it can't shoot or even be accurate. It's a statement of personal aesthetics, that's all.

I don't find this rifle to be ugly, I object to the dyed panels, that's all. Had Winchester stopped at not dying those panels, they would have had a classic looking rifle. They probably wouldn't have sold too many more rifles since the public lacks the acceptance for maple as I stated originally but I would have looked longer and given it some credence.

Wittum,

Buy what you like and go shoot! Enjoy the process and the results.

Best.

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Winchester Model 70 Custom Maple

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