Winchester 70 Africa Express 470 Capstick

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24 March 2010, 06:08

buckeyeshooter

Winchester 70 Africa Express 470 Capstick

I was doing the normal wipedown on rifles in the safe and had the camera handy, so I snapped a few photos to share. I am guessing that this is about as rare a Winchester rifle as you can find. I have attempted to get production information from several collectors associations. Everyone I have talked to tells me this is a 1 production number. I would enjoy hearing if anyone else has an African Express in 470.

[EMAIL]http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm163/buckeyeshooter1/rifles008.jpg[/EMAIL]

The price of knowledge is great but the price of ignorance is even greater.

24 March 2010, 06:50

cmfic1

WOW

That rifle has the cool factor from end to end.

I wonder what that sukker would bring to your wallet?

Rod

--------------------------------
"A hunter should not choose the cal, cartridge, and bullet that will kill an animal when everything is right; rather, he should choose ones that will kill the most efficiently when everything goes wrong"
Bob Hagel

24 March 2010, 14:11

JBrown

That is the nicest custom shop rifle I have seen.

I have no idea how many they sold, but I seem to remember seeing the 470 as a regular custom shop catalog item.

Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown

24 March 2010, 18:15

butchloc

they were a part of the big five series a run of 125 rifles in each of the big 5. if you got on the list you would get the 5 all with the same serial #. my son has them. they came in 458, 375, 416 rem. 470 capstick and 338

24 March 2010, 18:37

Equinsu Ocha

Did (do) these custom Wins come in lefty? That Capstick in a lefty sure would look great in my safe!

Beautiful gun

24 March 2010, 23:16

Use Enough Gun

butchloc: You are indeed correct. They were a part of the big five series of 125 sets, with 5 rifles in each set. I have one of them in .375. The big five series had, depending on the caliber, one of the African big five in gold on the floorplate, along with (again in gold) the outline of the African continent. I had the chance to buy a .458 Winchester with the same serial number as the .375, but I turned it down. The .375 has a lion's head in gold on the floorplate.

24 March 2010, 23:40

buckeyeshooter

The Big 5 Series was a custom shop gun, but not an "African Express" series rifle, it was a "Safari Express" grade. The difference in the 2 guns is very obvious from the catalog and the price difference is also obvious too. There were some "Safari Express" rifles made. Still have yet to see another "African Express".

2010 Sapi Elephant Hunt

25 March 2010, 00:03

buckeyeshooter

Evans, I had inquired on a 404 in the African Express as a second but could not get them to make it. I would enjoy seeing your 375, must be beautiful!!

25 March 2010, 00:25

nyrifleman

quote:
Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:
The Big 5 Series was a custom shop gun, but not an "African Express" series rifle, it was a "Safari Express" grade. The difference in the 2 guns is very obvious from the catalog and the price difference is also obvious too. There were some "Safari Express" rifles made. Still have yet to see another "African Express".

Quite so.

Here's one I was thinking of adding to the safe.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=157412332

25 March 2010, 00:40

Use Enough Gun

True on that. I had spaced it, but once I saw the page from the old catalog it refreshed my recollection. Mine is from the Custom Safari Express line, as were the 125 sets that were previously discussed. Mine now looks like the African Express as it has been customized.

25 March 2010, 02:43

buckeyeshooter

Here's one I was thinking of adding to the safe.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti....aspx?Item=157412332[/QUOTE]

Doug, you will never regret it, they are great rifles!

25 March 2010, 06:03

sevenmagltd.

Do you know what the 416 brought on Gunbroker? I have one just like it I bought in Oct. of 05. Never fired a round through it but she has been pampered.

26 March 2010, 06:32

nyrifleman

buckeye,

I have a Dakota in .375 in the safe, so I passed on that one, unfortunately. Hard to let it go, and its since been sold, not sure what he got for it.