Hello all,
I have just aquired a model 70 375h&h that was modified by Griffin and howe.
The serial # dates from 1949 , the researcher @g&h was kind enough to tell me that the gun was brought in by abercrombie and ficht, sold to Griffin and howe in 1950 and modified and sold by them on october15,1950. Stamped on top of the barrel is the script"rebuilt by Griffin&Howe inc, New York". It has a cloverleaf tang, normal safety, original front sight.

The modifications appear to be a complete griffin and howe stock, that is a fairly close duplicate of a supergrade stock with ebony forend tip, and the addition of a silver medallion for initials on the underside of the butt. and a leather covered recoil pad. Also added (in the original tapped holes) a fairly sturdy fixed express style sight in place of the original flipper type sight.

My question is- the gun is starting to look abit worse for the wear, the leather on the pad in particular is cracked and tearing so that only half the pad is now leather covered. I want to use the gun and infact intend to take it with me as my light rifle to zim. in may, should I send it back to G&H for a complete refinish? Pad only? No work at all?

Where would a gun like this fit into the value scheme of model 70's? is it more or less desirable with the modifications done by G&H?
Is it a shooter or a collector?
thanks
Dan

Any refin, even done by the new G&H work would probably greatly reduce it's value. If the old pad can be removed without hurting it too much you could have a new pad installed and just keep the old pad somewhere safe.

Congratulations on your acquisition. For me personally a Griffin & Howe M 70 is worth a good premium over an unmodified pre 64, given similar condition and chambering. With respect, leather coverings for butt pads aren't expected to last for decades. It would be appropriate to have G&H replace the leather as the rifle is to be hunted. Keep the G&H papers showing the replacement to maintain, not modify, and the value should not be reduced. Doubtful you can get it done by May, though. Good luck in Africa.

I like G&H work, generally, and have bought several pre64 mod 70's from them, however, lately their quality of their work seems to leave something to be desired. I don't know beans about collector values and I have wondered about what work could be done without completely destroying whatever value a G&H rifle might have

Notlim,
Call Paul Chapman at Griffin & Howe in Bernardsville. I'm there often; they sell rifles/shotguns for me on consignment. "Bob", the G&H historian you talked to, can provide a letter of Provenance on your rifle, describing the acquisition, work done, etc... I believe they charge $50. Helps for resale value. As mentioned, there are parts that are not expected to last forever, like leather or old rubber pads. If you replace it with a G&H, and save the original and receipt for the new one, you should be ok.

Paul is at (908) 766-2287, Monday thru Saturday until 6PM. ...Biebs