EARLY 7mm REMMAG WITH WEATHERBY STOCK

[STORM2]

http://Another of my vintage rifles believed to have Weatherby heritage is next up on my super cleaning/research agenda.  I’m not having a lot of photo posting success from the iPad; I’ll have a go at it from a desktop later.

The rifle has the grip cap diamond and spacers on the cap and fore stock.  The recoil pad is marked Weatherby and is out for replacement.  Williams Gunsights will do that work.

The rifle is marked Japan on one side and 7mm REMMAG on the opposing side.  The gun was manufactured prior to serial number requirement.  The rifle arrived at my local gun shop from a multiple South Gate Weatherby estate collection. Not true evidence but gives cause for the Weatherby connection.

The rifle bore is in great condition and came sterile clean with little effort. The high gloss stock will be back to glory with the new pad.

Open to opinions and input.  Proof and pad photos added

ftp://

[224KING]

Mark V or Vanguard Deluxe? I have seen a few Mark V's in 7mmRem mag.

[asd9055]

Trigger is NOT a Mark V
Serial number requirements went into effect in 1968
Weatherby Started making rifles in Japan in 1970
Vanguard was 1972 forward.
If it is Weatherby, It should have a serial number
Even my 1959 Weatherby has a serial number

[Dino82520]

Looks like a Sako style bolt release on the left side. ??

[224KING]

That's not a Mark V or Vanguard action.

[STORM2]

So it seems I have a pre serial number 7 mm RemMag with a HOWA proof mark, made in Japan.
The bolt release has been identified as Sako and it had an old style Weatherby recoil pad on a Weatherby looking stock.  I guess it’s just an attractive old step child. When the stock comes home I’ll see how it shoots.

[asd9055]

@224king and @Grouchy have a lot of knowledge about WBY, but I dont ever remember seeign a Weatherby WITHOUT a serial number.  Comments?

[Dino82520]

My 1925 Savage 99 303 Savage has a serial #.

[11charlie]

My sporterized Remington U.S Model of 1917 has a serial number. That's how I found out it was made in August of 1918. 

[asd9055]

Certain firearms did not require one until 1968.  I have an old Savage Model 3, its a bolt action, single shot 22LR.  No serial number. 

[STORM2]

My local gun shop is a haven for estate finds.  They also specialize in antique firearms.  Guns without serial numbers is not uncommon.  A well established retired probate judge owns the shop.  This brings in healthy estate collections. 

[STORM2]

The 1962 date for the caliber is a solid piece of the puzzle along with the serial number requirement in late 1968.  Date is narrowing down.

Thank all

[224KING]

Weatherby used to put his spin on a lot of Sako's before Sauer and Sohn started building Mark V's in Germany in 1959.Generally during that conversion process he would also put a new barrel on and chamber it in a Weatherby magnum round of some caliber.My guess is that barrel was removed at some time in your rifle's lifetime and the 7mm Rem mag barrel installed.I can't believe that Sako didn't stamp it's action with a serial number,but could be a very early Sako and the original barrel was the only thing that a serial number was put on.I would also say that your action,more than likely,has had at least 3 barrels screwed into it.I'm 99% positive that Weatherby didn't put the 7mm Rem Mag on it.

[224KING]

Another FYI.The butt pad style in the picture is of late 70's to 1989 production.I don't think it's original to the stock's 1st installation date.The pad style is what was used on Varmintmaster rifles and Vanguard deluxe Rifles of the time period I stated above.Notice it is solid with no honeycomb like what would have been put on medium to heavy recoiling rifles.

[Grouchy]

The barrel is stamped Howa. Their barrels are metric.  In any case, I hope it is a good shooter.