.458 Win Magnum Super Grade Rifle African - 1956

This is a Winchester model 70 African rifle chambered in the powerful .458 Winchester magnum cartridge. It was produced in 1956, the first year for the cartridge, the African style rifle, and the short magnum receiver.

The .458 Winchester Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1956 and was the first of a series of proprietary Winchester magnum cartridges Winchester introduced for the model 70. The .458 was followed by the .338 Win Mag, .264 Win Mag and .300 Win Mag.  These cartridges were based on the H&H magnum cartridge, but were shortened to the same overall length as the .30-06 class of cartridges so they would work in the standard length model 70 action, with minimal modifications. Each of these rifles was given a new and name. The .300 WM and .338 WM were called "Alaskan".  The .254 WM was called "Westerner". And the .458 WM was placed in a class of its own. Only produced in the Super Grade style, and embellished with several unique high-end features, the .458 WM was designated as the "African". In addition to the unique new magnum chambering, the African also had a 25" #2 barrel with a front sling swivel base attached directly to the barrel, and special sights, and was stocked in superior grade walnut with more figure than any other model 70 rifle. Only 1,226 African rifles were produced, making this the third rarest chambering for the model 70, with only the .300 Savage and .35 Remington being produced in fewer numbers.

This particular rifle possesses certain features which are present on only a few of the earliest African rifles. Specifically:

• This rifle lacks the secondary barrel-mounted recoil block which was added in late 1956.
• This rifle has the extra fancy walnut stock and a single steel cross-bolt. Both of these features only appeared on the earliest African rifles, and most of these were later re-stocked into the later style stocks as a result of a recall* by Winchester.  

*The recall of early African rifles:  In mid 1956, with some African rifle owners complaining of cracks appearing in some stocks, Winchester issued a recall of all .458 African rifles. In the recall, Winchester replaced the fancy walnut stock with a single steel crossbolt with a more traditional straight grain American walnut stock, fitted with 2 Bakelite dowels for cross-bolts.

As a result of Winchester's recall of the earl African rifles, very few retain the early, highly figured stocks with the single steel cross-bolt.

The metal on this rifle grades in NRA very good to excellent condition with no noted wear or defects. The bluing grades at 95% with a few light scratches on the bolt handle but no other notable defects. There is almost no edge wear, and the bluing is dark and even. The bolt body, extractor, and magazine follower are all correctly jeweled. 

The bore of the 25" barrel is in excellent condition with no visible wear and only very minor evidence of use. We rate this bore a 9 out of 10 under borescope examination.

The Monte Carlo stock is beautifully figured and is in near perfect condition following restoration in our shop. There was a small split in the inletting bridge between the trigger and the magazine box, which has been repaired. The original recoil pad is in very good condition. The original checkering is clean and crisp.

Except as noted above, there are no modifications or defects noted for this rifle. All parts and finishes appear to be correct for the .458 Win and original to the rifle. The bolt is correct and serial number matched to the receiver.  

NOTE: This item can only be shipped directly to you if you are an FFL or C&R license holder. If this is not the case, the item must be shipped to an FFL holder near you who can complete the transfer. If needed, we are happy to assist you in locating an FFL holder near you who can assist in this way.