Elmer Keith's Model 70 Supergrade

There were dozens of Elmer's rifles for sale not long ago... many remain at a US auction house... that .458 is being flipped.
 
Far too overpriced, seeing that that rifle was one of the 1st. .458 versions that did not have the second, barrel mounted recoil lug to help prevent the stock splitting. Elmer was probably given that rifle by Winchester to promote the .458 WM as dangerous game stopping rifle. The Winchester Super Grade "African" was introduced in 1956 and according to Winchester's serial # records for the Model 70, Elmer's one (#380857) was made in late 1955. I recon Elmer didn't shoot that rifle a whole lot.

1955 starting numbers: 361025 1956 starting numbers: 393395

Jack Lott had an early Model 70 African that cracked the stock as he was just sighting it in. Winchester corrected the problem a few years later by adding the second, barrel mounted lug.

That said, someone will no doubt scoop the beasty just to have a Keith owned rifle.
 
I've mentioned it in previous posts, but in the mid 70's, I had the good fortune to meet Elmer on two occasions. Spent the better part of a day visiting him at his home in Salmon Idaho and the second time, at a gun show in Kalispel Montana where he was the guest of honour at the dinner that evening. I believe he was being honoured as the first recipient of the Handgunner Of The Year award. I would dearly have loved to been able to afford one of his firearms that were recently auctioned off, but, anything I was interested in was a little rich for my means. I did manage to pick up a S&W Elmer Keith commemorative a short while ago though.



I contacted Milt Sparks, and they made me a replica of Emlers holster for my 4" Smith.



The photo I use as my avatar is a photo I took of Elmer as I was preparing to leave after the visit with him in Salmon.

 
Elmer2.jpg
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Kinda looks like Elmer was shoeing ye off the property.:p

Great pic of a great gun writer that knew his stuff and done it all in his field of endeavors back in the day.
I've always followed his basic principles on big bullets for big game, but like many have done, I've also
learned the use & effectiveness of light, small bore projectiles on critters that a lot of folks would not consider
as proper for the job.

Either way, it all boils down to one's own experimentations and experiences with such endeavors that make for
most interesting outcomes.:)
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
Elmer2.jpg
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Click to expand...
Kinda looks like Elmer was shoeing ye off the property.:p

Great pic of a great gun writer that knew his stuff and done it all in his field of endeavors back in the day.
I've always followed his basic principles on big bullets for big game, but like many have done, I've also
learned the use & effectiveness of light, small bore projectiles on critters that a lot of folks would not consider
as proper for the job.

Either way, it all boils down to one's own experimentations and experiences with such endeavors that make for
most interesting outcomes.:)[/QUOTE]

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:) Not the case at all ;). My following of Keith and his efforts first started with my indepth interest in handguns. His experience as noted in his books and magazine articles seemed to match my interests. His experiences saved me form trying to re-invent the wheel. The interest just expanded from there. I still consider meeting and spending the day chatting with him to be the high point in my years, interest and experience in firearms and hunting.
 
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