Wards Westernfield .270

[AKM]

Hello all,

I've recently acquired a Wards Westernfield .270 model 720AEHM made in West Germany.

I have not been able to find much info on this rifle and was hoping someone here could help me.

Was this rifle manufactured by Winchester or Marlin? It's in great shape and I was thinking of possibly upgrading this family heirloom with a synthetic stock.

I would be very thankful for any information or links.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Slamfire]

Posting a picture would help in the identification of any of these Store Brand firearms.

Just looked at the Store Cross over list in my Blue Book. The model number you provided is just not jumping out at me.

No idea of what it is.

 

[Ron James]

If it was made in West Germany then it wasn't made by an American manufacture. Most of the major chains imported foreign firearms to sell under their names. Sears, Wards, etc: etc: It was probably made up on a Mauser type action, however if there's no other markings then you may never know who the actual manufacturer was.

 

[Jim Watson]

Not in the Numrich store brand list. We need good pictures or a knowledgeable description. Do you know what a '98 Mauser looks like?

 

[AKM]

Thanks guys.

I just found the original owners guide and it states the model as "Deluxe model 60-720A" (Rifle has 720 AEHM stamped on the barrel).

This guide also says "WesternField by Hawthorne". Does this help?

It also states that the action is a Mauser 98K.

Sorry no digital camera. This rifle has a 24" barrel and a Monte Carlo stock.

I am mainly interested in synthetic stock compatibility.

Thanks again.

 

[Chawbaccer]

Your gun is a 98 Mauser, made by E. Heym. Now you can find a bit if info I think.

 

[AKM]

Thanks Chawbaccer.

So will most synthetic stocks for a Mauser action work?

Sorry for my ignorance guys as I've never been into bolt actions (lefty shooter).

 

[AKM]

WOW, what a difference a keyword makes (E.Heym).

It seems that those last three letters stamped on the barrel (EHM) must stand for E. Heym.

Hoosier gunworks cross references this rifle as a Mauser M-98 (even I know what that is). I should be fine now.

Again thanks to all (especially Chawbaccer). This is one of the most knowledgeable sites around.

 

[eliphalet]

Take a look here,
http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/catalog/cross_reference.html

Sounds to me like you have yourself a dandy.

 

[Chawbaccer]

Ahem, I can't take much credit, I used Hoosiers Gun Works cross reference.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

I had one of these in .30-06; I sold it because I'm left-handed and just couldn't work the bolt, especially with a scope on the rifle.

I understand they were made by Heym, under license from Mauser, in the late 60's. (I found a Mauser expert who interpreted the proof marks for me.)

These are great rifles, well-made, lots of expensive touches. A similar rifle today would probably cost well over a thousand dollars.

They harken back to the days when stores were proud of their stuff, and didn't just cheapen everything as much as possible.

 

[Ash]

Yeah, here's my el-cheapo Western Field .22 rifle. Beats most rifles out there today. Imagine that, deep blue and a walnut stock on a store-brand rifle.

Ash

 

[Ash]

By the way, the Tiger Striping is in the grain, not made up in the stain. I have another one (I have not photographed) that I have had since I was a boy and is going to my son (it is in excellent condition, having been properly cared for). I picked this one up, which was a rust-bucket that needed hard core restoration. Only the outside was rusted and finish gone, the bore was excellent. So I brought it back to life for mine when I give the other to my son.

Ash

 

[dwwhite]

+1 to all those commenting on the high quality of these rifles,

My dad has one chambered in .30-06 mounted with an ancient Hawthorne 4x. It's not much to look at after 30+ years of banging around in pickups and tractors, but it is consistently a sub-moa shooter year after year with cheap 150 grain soft points and little or no cleaning and maintnance.

The last time I took it to the range, pre deer season a couple of years ago, the first three shots from a cold barrel went into one ragged hole two inches high at 100 yards. I put it back in the case and walked away while the guys with the new (read expensive) rifle/scope combinations looked on with their mouths open.