This is what I have, can you tell me more? Pics included

[awmp]

I was given this rifle sometime ago and trying to find out more about it. It is a Winchester 30-30 but with some very nice engraving. I'm trying to find out what it is worth, the only thing wrong with the rifle is the butt plate is missing. I'm going to try and call Winchester and provide the serial number as well. Any and all you can tell me would be helpful. thanks

[deerwhacker444]

Wow,...pretty.

That looks like a Roe deer on one side and a Red stag on the other. What's the European connection with this rifle?

Not sure, but it looks like a Pre-64 to boot judging by the screws on the gate side.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I think that is after market work. Very nice though.
I bet a standard butt plate of the same year will fit.

[awmp]

My uncle gave me the rifle and past away a few years ago. He was a pilot in the USAF and had the work done while he was stationed in Europe. Good catch. It has just been sitting in the gun safe for years.
Any ideas where to get a butt plate?
Ideas on value?

Wow,...pretty.

That looks like a Roe deer on one side and a Red stag on the other. What's the European connection with this rifle?

Not sure, but it looks like a Pre-64 to boot judging by the screws on the gate side.

[Booger Bill]

If you post the serial # we can tell you what year it was made. You can leave a couple Xs on the end of the number to make yourself secure, like this example. 2,436XXX

[awmp]

serial number is 2503XXX

If you post the serial # we can tell you what year it was made. You can leave a couple Xs on the end of the number to make yourself secure, like this example. 2,436XXX

[J Miller]

It's a standard pre-64 carbine as made from 53 to 63. By serial # is a 1962 vintage. It would use the standard checkered steel butt plate.

Very nice engraving.

Have you checked Numrich?

Joe

[deerwhacker444]

Any ideas where to get a butt plate?
Ideas on value?

My first thought is place a "WTB" want to buy ad in the classified section. I bet there's somebody on this site that might part with one. If I were given such a fine rifle by my uncle I'd never get rid of it. I guess I'd see what it would cost to duplicate it if it was ever stolen. A person could probably pick up a barely used pre-64 for anywhere between $500-$800 bucks, then you've got to add the engraving, no telling what that would cost. Might be worth anywhere from $1000 on up. Sorry, not much help.

Have you checked Numrich?

I checked Numrich and couldn't find anything but the saddle ring carbine butt-plate.

[Griff]

If the serial # is all numbers, (no Alpha letter prefix), then you probably have a standard rifle that someone had engraved. I believe all the Commemoratives had alpha-numeric serial numbers.

After seein' your last reply, I have to say, it's hard to tell from the pic, but it appears the standard buttplate for the appropriate year will word. Maybe like this one: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Det ... atid=12059

Ok, based again on the several other answers while I searched... try Winchester Bob's.

[Griff]

Or, buy the one I referenced above, and I'll send you the checkered steel one off my 1970 mdl 94. The checkered steel was used up thru about '71/'72.

[Blaine]

Sure is nice, and very tastful engraving.

[brno602]

Sure is nice, and very tastful engraving.

+1 and the checkering too.

[awmp]

This is a pic of the stock if it helps.

My dad told me he thinks the butt plate was metal?

[Nath]

Parden me for asking gents but I have allways wondered why folk don't quote the whole serial number of their guns.

Can someone explain please?

N.

[awp101]

Mainly for security reasons. There is the very slim chance someone could try to claim it was stolen and with the full s/n they could file a police report etc.

Of course it's probably more hassle than it's worth and the odds seem to be pretty low it could work but just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you...

[Nath]

Cheers awp101

N.

[O.S.O.K.]

That is a beautiful rifle. The buttstock looks a might short though... like maybe it was cut down for a young person... what's the length of pull? Or what's it measure from the lower tang back to the butt?

The engraving is very nice.

[Pete44ru]

[If the serial # is all numbers, (no Alpha letter prefix), then you probably have a standard rifle that someone had engraved. I believe all the Commemoratives had alpha-numeric serial numbers.]

FWIW, the OP's rifle has a 1962 DOM, which is AFAIK before the commemorative era.

I would measure the buttstock end, and trace the outline on a piece of paper, kept in my wallet for comparison to any steel/flat Winchester BP I might run across at a local funshop or gunshow.

.

[Hagler]

awmp,

If you want more info on your rifle, then post a query to Pauline Muerrle, the VERY LAST Winchester factory-employed engraver, here:

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=393172

She can tell you if it is factory engraving, and, if it is so, who engraved it. ...and, this is Pauline's new Web site:

http://paulinemuerrle.com/

Shawn

[Charles]

It was common for military folks stationed in Europe after WWII to buy guns at the PX and have them upgraded by German craftsman and bring them back home with them. One of those butt plates will turn up on Ebay for sure and for certain.

[awmp]

I sent an email to ask about the engraving.
I will have to measure the pull, but feels good in my shoulder.
I'm going to sell the rifle. Best place to sell? Gunbroker?

[J Miller]

I sent an email to ask about the engraving.
I will have to measure the pull, but feels good in my shoulder.
I'm going to sell the rifle. Best place to sell? Gunbroker?

awmp,

Might I query, why are you going to sell it?

Gunbroker would be a good place, plus we have a classified section here too.
Good luck in your sale. I'd go for it, but I doubt you'll be selling it as cheap as it would have to be for me to go for it.

Joe

[awmp]

Is a safe queen and just trying to make room. Still no ideas on what to ask.

[Streetstar]

I sent an email to ask about the engraving.
I will have to measure the pull, but feels good in my shoulder.
I'm going to sell the rifle. Best place to sell? Gunbroker?

Why dude? If you can't afford baby formula anymore, then i understand --- but it was your uncles man. What are you going to do with the thousand bucks (maybe) anyway ? go buy a couple of boxes of cartridges and shoot the darn thing

[horsesoldier03]

Nice rifle and nice work as well. Leverguns in Europe are scarce as hens teeth and sell at a premium as well or at least used to. I am sure he probably purchased through the local rod and gun clubs there. Looks like pretty decent work and depending on who did the engraving it could bring quite a price as well. I would try and find out who engraved it. If there is no paper work or records from who did it, it might be worth an effort to find out where he was stationed and then contact the local rod and gun and see if any knows of an engraver that frequently engraved rifles purchased by Soldiers/Airmen.