Pick A New One For Me...

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Wildalaska

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Dec 24, 2002
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Anchorage, Alaska
I have a choice:

Winchester Model 70, pre 64, 1950s production, 300H &H unaltered, Lyman 4x scope, 90% overall, original pad. $600

-or-

1903A3, 1943 barrel and reciever, marked form Ogden Utah arsenal with Elmer Keiths inspection mark....$600


Which one..both are hstorical, one is more useful for hunting...(not like I need anymore hunting rifles)

WildtornAlaska
 
What in the world is an "Elmer Keith 1903"??? I've never heard of it.

Steve
 
This is not going to help but, dig deep and buy both. If I had to pick I would go with the 03
 
The Keith '03 for sentimental reasons. The '50s Mod70 is a great rifle, but there are other great rifles. You may not get another shot at a Keith '03.

Might have better future appreciation, too??
 
I'd get the 1903A3.

As time goes on they will become even more scarce. Save this one from a future butcher shop! :D

Good Shooting
Red
 
i would surely go w/ the pre-64 winchester. they will also become scarcer.

that might also be an indication that i'm not into military weapons - find them to be generally clunky, awkward, and ineffective for what i would use a rifle for...
 
Not a winchester fan but if you cant buy both i would buy the winchester as they say it will get harder to find one espically in that caliber
 
Glad to be of service.

You take the Winchester Model 70...300H&H unaltered? HUAH!


I'll take the '03 with the Elmer Keith mark.:D

How's that? Problem solved. I should charge.
 
I'd go for the 03. It would be nice to have a memento of Elmer Keith. I already have George Nonte's .44 Special dies!

Now if the Model 70 was in .270 with a 4X Lyman Alaskan and provenence showing a previous owner to be Jack O'Conner, well, then I would go for the Winchester!
 
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What in the world is an "Elmer Keith 1903"??? I've never heard of it.
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Elmer Keith was a famous gun and hunting writer in years gone by. Among other things, he provided the inspiration for the development of the .44 Magnun.

During WWII, he worked for Army Ordnance, and among his duties he inspected rifles -- a rifle with his inspector's cartouche stamped into the stock is a real collector's item.
 
Another vote for the '03. How many Elmer Keith inspection mark rifles can there be?

If you don't buy it, please let me know who has it for sale. :D
 
WildAK, can you send me or post a pic of the 03 and EK inspection mark when you get a chance? No hurry. I'm green with envy. :D
 
Did you ever have to make up your mind? Say yes to one and leave the other behind?

Interesting and delightful conundrum. Wild, buddy, if you have to boil it down to one or tother, the Model 70 300 H&H is also an Elmer Keith favorite. Did you know he had a big influence on the making of the original Model 70 Winchester back in the '30s? He thought the H&H was a good antelope ctg and also won some long range target trophies with the 300.

What exackly does his inspection mark look like? I would shy away from something so persnickety as I know how easy something cosmetic can be faked. It would have to have an undeniable provenance before I would buy it as a relic. That's just me. There are more fake Walker Colts out there among collectors than were originally produced in 1847.

Besides that, my taste just does not include military rifles in general, with a couple exception like the cute lil 30 carbine and the M16. The Springfield, Garand, M14, Mauser, etc. etc. has dang little allure for me. Again that's me. What about you?

In contrast a pristine Model 70 Magnum has beaucoup intrinsic value both as a shooter and a collector's item that will appreciate. Winchesters are the most favored collectible firearm together with the Colt's pistols. I'd take the Winnie. Again, what about you? ;)
 
This is almost easy...as rifles, the Win 70 is so much more appealing. Unless the 03A3 is absolutely perfect, untouched since Keith stamped his cartouche on it, it's really nothing terribly special -- at least relative to the 70.

Gotta admit, though, the sentimental appeal of Keith's mark is strong. I'd still go for the 70, I think.

JohnYouNeededAnother300H&HNewell

see, two can do that thing...;)
 
No question for me.....the '03 is the way I'd go. To have anything marked/connected with some of the old time gun guys....sigh......


Mino
 
Wilde dude...I wouldn't bet my life on the 1943 date on the receiver on the 03. Check the serial number instead and go online until you can find the exact number where they started doing the double heat treatment. Low number 03s can develop fractures (no kidding) in the steel and catastrophic failure. Once you find out whether the specific rifle is safe then you can re-ask the question... :what:

Once that question is cleared up I'd want to go with the 03 as I have a model 70 I bought a few years ago which is a total egg sucker.
 
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