Easter Treat! (not chocolate bunny) - Pics Up!

[fugawi]

Easter Bunny brought me a '56 .308 Winchester Model 88 today.

Good condition, decent price. Mostly complete except for aftermarket sling swivels and later (I think) Winchester Model 88 magazine. Original recoil block. Missing plug screws so wore a scope once. Nice dark stock but a bit dry. No cracks.









Early short port.


'Clover leaf' style recoil block.






Latter Type 4 magazine bottom plate




Don't think the hood was meant to be like this but its on tight.


Dark wood (looks lighter in some pics due to flash).


Anyone know if the studs are original? Gun came with Uncle Mike's QR swivels.


Spot of corrosion on grip cap.




Close up of magazine opening - because the wood is so thin here, I checked for cracks.


Not my 88 - let sleeping dogs lie...

 

[Magellann]

Congrats! those were a nice gun back in the day, and still are. Pics would be great when she's all prettied up.

 

[fugawi]

Thanks, I've a soft spot for hunting levers. This is my fourth. Been wanting a .308 for a while now.

 

[fugawi]

Now I've either got to find those missing screws or mount a scope on her. If a scope I'd like something somewhat period looking. Anyone know what scope a Model 88 might sport in the late 50's to 60s?

I hunt in heavy brush here in Manitoba and my vision isn't what it used to be.

 

[lilsurfer]

Now I've either got to find those missing screws or mount a scope on her. If a scope I'd like something somewhat period looking. Anyone know what scope a Model 88 might sport in the late 50's to 60s?

I hunt in heavy brush here in Manitoba and my vision isn't what it used to be.

Congratulations, sounds like a nice gun. The Model 88 is one of my favourites. There are plug screws on Ebay most of the time. Just search "winchester screws." I have done this a few times in the past to plug receiver holes for Model 88s.

 

[two-dogs]

Now I've either got to find those missing screws or mount a scope on her. If a scope I'd like something somewhat period looking. Anyone know what scope a Model 88 might sport in the late 50's to 60s?

I hunt in heavy brush here in Manitoba and my vision isn't what it used to be.

Leupy, man, go with a low power variable Leupold. I had many an 88 over time. All of them wore one.

 

[Boomer454]

Sounds like a nice rifle! Look forward to some pics.

I picture with a vintage Weaver K4 on top personally.

 

[Lexthedestroyer]

Sounds like a nice rifle! Look forward to some pics.

I picture with a vintage Weaver K4 on top personally.

This would be my nod as well. Got one on my '66 Savage 99 in .308. Looks as right as a scope on a lever can, lol.

 

[kevinc]

I put a Bushnell 3200 2-7 x 32 on my modell 88
It is small enough not to overwhelm the gun and the optics are still good enough for my tired eyes.

Regards

 

[Royzo]

Shot my first deer with an 88. Great gun. An old weaver K4 or bushnel scope chief would be fitting for the era. Enjoy

 

[fugawi]

I was thinking a Weaver K4 myself however...

Leupy, man, go with a low power variable Leupold. I had many an 88 over time. All of them wore one.

I learned that Leupold made a modern version of the Alaskan in the early 90's. It came in 2.5x, 4x and 6x. I think the 2.5 would be the one for where I hunt. Mind you a small, short variable...