Need help IDing an old safari gun

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A co-worker brought this in today for me to do some restoration work. No markings except a serial number on the receiver. Maybe a Mauser/1903 Springfield action re-barreled?? It's chambered in 458 Winchester Magnum, and was likely used for an African hunt, put away, and then sold. He got it from his uncle who bought it used back in the 60s or 70s.

He also brought me a very rusty Winchester 94 chambered in 375 Winchester.
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We live at a time when emotions and feelings count more than truth,
and there is a vast ignorance of science.
James Lovelock

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
-William G. McAdoo, lawyer and politician (1863-1941)

Re: Need help IDing an old safari gun

4
eelj wrote:Thats an 03 sprinfield.
Thank you!

Probably not worth much then, except as a shooter once cleaned up and restored. The rifling still looks sharp, and I could probably make some loads in the 45-70 range... maybe even use 45-70 dies if only neck sizing.
We live at a time when emotions and feelings count more than truth,
and there is a vast ignorance of science.
James Lovelock

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
-William G. McAdoo, lawyer and politician (1863-1941)

Re: Need help IDing an old safari gun

7
The two guns were left in a barn for a couple decades and forgotten. I think my co-worker inherited the land and found them inside. He has a story about shooting the 458 with his uncle as a kid.

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We live at a time when emotions and feelings count more than truth,
and there is a vast ignorance of science.
James Lovelock

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
-William G. McAdoo, lawyer and politician (1863-1941)

Re: Need help IDing an old safari gun

8
Fukshot wrote:Looks like an old Fajen stock.
The stock has a small longitudinal crack just behind the receiver, but I'll try to restore it as well.
We live at a time when emotions and feelings count more than truth,
and there is a vast ignorance of science.
James Lovelock

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
-William G. McAdoo, lawyer and politician (1863-1941)

Re: Need help IDing an old safari gun

10
Back in the 1950s and 1960s, a lot of people built .458s on Mauser and Springfield actions. They usually shot quite well and many of them went to Africa and were used on dangerous game. My apologies to any Springfield fans, but you can clean that thing up and even re-blue it and you'll have a nice shooter but it will still be Springfield ugly. :D

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