doublegunshop.com - home
Posted By: PhysDoc Custom Model 70 - 01/29/20 01:14 AM
LRF suggested that this might be a good rifle for discussion and asked me to post pictures. What do you think of the rifle and who do you think did the work? This rifle sold this past weekend at an auction and the pictures are from the site.



















Posted By: LRF Re: Custom Model 70 - 01/29/20 01:59 AM
Thanks Fred,
As Fred said it sold last weekend, not to me. LOL
The write up on the rifle was this:
"Serial #32603. Barrel length 24". Caliber 30-06. Made in 1941. The barreled action is all original pre-war Winchester with matching bolt. it has been custom stocked in very dark walnut with diamond skip checkering, pistol grip with cap and vintage leather covered pad with a 13.5" LOP. The rifle sports period Griffin & Howe hidden quick release side mount with a Lyman Alaskan scope with clean line & post optics. Rifle has super grade type sling swivels and black fore-end tip. Bore is excellent. Metal retains about 97% original blue with few light freckles and minor handling and muzzle wear. Handsome custom pre-war Model 70. C&R"

I think it was nicely restocked and certain not a bubba job. I thought some of you may want to chime in as to who you think may have done the work. Or better yet maybe someone one this forum was the lucky buyer. Without a known signature it will be mostly opinions but that can be fun to discuss also.
Posted By: rtw Re: Custom Model 70 - 01/29/20 12:40 PM
Not sure when the work was done. I understand that Abe Chaber (spelling?) was one of the stocktaker's used by G&H.
Posted By: LRF Re: Custom Model 70 - 01/29/20 02:44 PM
I have been looking at the rifle and saying to myself, "when was it made?". We know it was after 1941 because that is the date of the action. The only other possible known date stamp is that the scope has an early 27XXX serial number. Lyman serial numbers are not listed anywhere, that I can find, however looking at various sites I would guess the scope was made no later then mid 1950's. That's not a fact just my thoughts.
Another maybe identifier is the G&H mount with the "round" knob scope takedown levers. As opposed to the "triangular" levers which I believe were later. Again, just my thoughts. Last is the skip-line checkering which somewhat dates the gun.
So I am guessing the date of manufacture is between 1955 and 1970, but again my guess.
Feel free to debunk my opinions, smile
Posted By: LRF Re: Custom Model 70 - 01/29/20 02:48 PM
Originally Posted By: rtw
Not sure when the work was done. I understand that Abe Chaber (spelling?) was one of the stockmaker's used by G&H.

rtw, do you know the years that Abe was active?
Are you thinking that the rifle has some G&H look to it so the stockmaker may have taken his influence from experience of working for G&H?
Posted By: SKB Re: Custom Model 70 - 01/29/20 02:53 PM
You may try to contact Craig, he helped4 Abe close down his shop when Abe became sick. Craig knew him well and is a damn fine stockmaker himself.
http://www.susquehannastockworks.com/
Posted By: rocky mtn bill Re: Custom Model 70 - 02/03/20 07:02 PM
I don't see anything that would identify a stock maker. The Griffin and Howe mount was not done by them. The skip-line checkering says 1950's, but beyond that it's hard to say.
Posted By: LRF Re: Custom Model 70 - 02/03/20 07:23 PM
Yep I agree. Nice but not descript. One of those that you would like to unwrap (disassemble) to see if there was any prize (signature) hiding inside. It went for about $1500 including premium so at the high side for a 30-06 pre-war M-70 without a factory stock. If there was a famous name inside then maybe about what it is worth price. IMO
Posted By: Run With The Fox Re: Custom Model 70 - 02/10/20 04:40 PM
Huum- acorn shaped rear tang metal and first series safety--pre-1946 IMO-- RWTF
Posted By: xausa Re: Custom Model 70 - 02/10/20 08:46 PM
That stock design and checkering remind me a good deal of a product of the Fajen Custom Shop. The only counter indication is the leather covered recoil pad, and that could have been added at a later time.
I don't have access to a Fajen catalog at the moment, being several hundred miles from home, but perhaps another of the members has one he could share.
Posted By: LRF Re: Custom Model 70 - 02/11/20 01:57 PM
Originally Posted By: Run With The Fox
Huum- acorn shaped rear tang metal and first series safety--pre-1946 IMO-- RWTF


You must have missed this in the first line of the description:
"Serial #32603. Barrel length 24". Caliber 30-06. Made in 1941. "
© The DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com