WinchesterOwners.com

A few months ago on a trip out west I purchased a 1949 model 70 serial # 107XXX. It has a custom mannlicher stock that I am trying to find some info about. Has anyone seen this persons work before? I bought the gun to hunt with but after looking at it I cannot take this into the woods. If I fell and scratched it my whole hunting trip would be ruined. And it has a vintage redfield scope. The guy I bought it from said his dad kept it in a gun safe and he could only remember him taking it out and shooting a couple times in his whole life. And looking at it I am inclined to believe him. I am not even sure of the wood it is made from. The trap door shell holder at the bottom of the stock is a true work of art and had to be made by a reputable smith. A few people told me it looks like it may have come from the custom shop but I see no Winchester custom shop marks on it. If anyone can provide any info as to maker and what it is possibly worth I would greatly appreciate it. I am a shooter and not a collector so I will probably sell it after doing my research and buy another gun or two. Thanks in advance.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t126/cecilheath/IMG_20130314_122934.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t126/cecilheath/IMG_20130313_223021.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t126/cecilheath/IMG_20130313_223103.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t126/cecilheath/2013-03-13_21-55-17_942.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t126/cecilheath/IMG_20130314_114550.jpg

No I've never seen something like that before but that's a pretty sweet looking gun!

I have posted on some other forums as well trying to get info. I have pretty much determined it was restocked and the barrel was cut down to 20" the barrel boss was turned off and then they re-blued everything including the trap door and end cap so that everything matches. It was probably done not long after the gun was new as the bluing matches what was used in the early 50s. It ruined the value as a original model 70 but as a custom gun built in the early 50s it is probably a keeper for me. I could not have a custom built with this kind of work and looks. Well I probably could but I would not be able to afford it anyway.