This is an exceptionally rare "Special Order" Winchester Pre-64 Model 70 Super Grade '"African Model" bolt action rifle manufactured in 1957, the second year of production for the 458 Win Magnum caliber. This exceptionally rare rifle has several special order features that include 1) a special hand made stock that features slightly smaller cheekpiece with a shadow line 2) a special order stock finish 3) a special order "Williams" adjustable rear sight 4) NO sling swivels nor bases were installed on either the stock or the barrel 5) a higher grade receiver polish vs. the more matte finish applied to most models. The Winchester Model 70s Super grades all received a superior grade of polishing and rust blueing and this rifle is no exception. The floor plate is correctly stamped "---SUPER GRADE---" with the bolt and extractor correctly, fully jeweled. It has the correct type III receiver with the correct type III bolt with the hollow bolt handle with sub inspector marking of "Y" on the underside of the bolt handle. The underside of the bolt is correctly serial numbered to the rifle (408549). It is also fitted with the correct early pattern type III bolt sleeve with the flat on the side under the safety lever. The stock, as noted, is a special order, hand made model with a three panel, hand cut pattern that features full wrap around checkering on the forend with two panels (one on each sides) of the pistol grip. It has the correct slightly longer diamond (for late super grades) in the center of the forend panel. The stock has the correct, late, all steel Neidner style pistol grip as used by Winchester during this time. The forend has the standard ebony forend tip, and it is fitted with a Winchester marked red rubber recoil pad as used on all African model rifles. It has the correct 25 inch African model/pattern barrel with the short magnum style barrel markings and has been fitted with a correct second model "African Express" adjustable rear sight and the Lyman 37FA bead front sight used only on African models. The breech end of the barrel and front edge of the receiver are both stamped with the correct circled "WP" Winchester factory proof stamp. This exceptional rifle is complete with the original Winchester cardboard shipping box with the Winchester yellow and black label glued to the end of the box that lists the rifle serial number, special order features and model (all written in ink pen). The Winchester warranty card, yellow hanging tag, Model 70 instruction manual, targeting card, the brown oil skin wrapping paper, the small cardboard box for the rifle bolt, and the small cardboard spacer insert are inside. It also includes the original Winchester outer cardboard shipping box with the original Winchester factory blue and white shipping label that indicate it was shipped to: Bowsher HDWE Store, Wapakoneta, Ohio, on March 1957. The label also has the factory order number stamped on the label along with the special order model number (12-040-16A01) that matches the end label and ink markings on the right hand side of the box, probably marked by the Winchester custom shop to track this rare rifle.

Near new in box with 99% plus of the original special order factory blue finish overall with minor edge wear. The bolt body also retains 99% plus of the original factory jeweling with only some very slight wear markings from being installed and cycled a few times with no signs of firing on the bolt face. The stock is also in like new condition with 99% of the original factory finish overall with no handling marks anywhere. The checkering is crisp and sharp. The inter cardboard box and the outer cardboard box both are in excellent condition showing only minor shipping and handling marks with clear, and distinct, 99% intact labels. This is probably one of the best super grade rifles we have been able to offer for sale, especially with "Five" Special order features. It looks like it was manufactured, shipped to the owner and then put away in a rifle cabinet and never used!