I have a Classic! - Pre ‘64 Winchester Model 88

[Zee]

For years I’ve been looking for a Savage 99. But, in the cartridges I was interested in, either the price was too high, the condition sketchy, or both. I’d resolved myself to giving up that search.
In stepped Joe with an alternative!
A friend of his was selling a Winchester M88 in .308 Winchester for a reasonable price and he sent me pics. I conversed with another friend at my LGS who had experience with older guns and he said to jump on it.
Joe and I discussed and he was able to get the seller to swap the modern matte scope in the pics for a vintage 3-9x40 Redfield Accuview w/ ranging reticle and target turret!! A much more fitting optic for the rifle.
So, when Joe came down for the SJS Pig Fest, he brought the rifle and the seller let me check it out before commitment. I was pleased with the rifle and so was my experienced friend.

IMG_0290.jpeg (6.3 MiB) Viewed 3417 times

IMG_0291.jpeg (6.57 MiB) Viewed 3417 times

It appears to have a vintage custom Fajen Stock and the metal is in great shape!
Serial number puts it manufactured in 1962.
I’m giddy as a school girl about this rifle and scope. Unfortunately, I will have to wait to play with it due to travels. But, I can stare at the pictures while in bed at night.

[mitdr774]

Interesting and neat.

[Freezer]

I've seen and handled a few through the years, but that is one of a kind! That beats a 99 hands down.

[Diver43]

You found a Great rifle in fantastic shape. Even has a proper scope on it. Congrats

[sakodude]

Wow, congrats. That may be the nicest looking 88 I've ever seen!

[CPJ 2.0]

99s are cooler, but that’s ok. Thank God it’s not in one of the horrendous basket weave “checkered” stocks.
We can always smooth off that grip cap and chop out the white line spacer. Not like you need that extra stock length.

[Zee]

99s are cooler, but that’s ok. Thank God it’s not in one of the horrendous basket weave “checkered” stocks.
We can always smooth off that grip cap and chop out the white line spacer. Not like you need that extra stock length.

Grip cap stays. I may have to swap the recoil pad to a flat one if I can’t get the scope back far enough. With the current length of pull, I’m looking at a doughnut hole in the scope.

[Zee]

I've seen and handled a few through the years, but that is one of a kind! That beats a 99 hands down.

I’m real happy with it so far. Hopefully it shoots as well as it looks.

[Zee]

Wow, congrats. That may be the nicest looking 88 I've ever seen!

I’d never been interested in one until I saw the pics and did some research.
The majority of Savage 99s I’ve seen are beat the hell up. The ones that aren’t, are pricy.

[Zee]

You found a Great rifle in fantastic shape. Even has a proper scope on it. Congrats

Joe found it for me. He’s the facilitator.
It’s darn near pristine in metal. I know it’s an aftermarket stock. Reduces value. But, I’m not a collector and don’t care about resale. The current stock bears hell out of the original factory options.

[Zee]

The irony is, the only other Winchester I have is a Pre-64 Model 94 I got from my Uncle years ago. I recall him having a Model 88 in deer camp as well when I was a kid. So, I have both of what he used in a way.
Nostalgia.

[Wambli Ska]

99s are cooler, but that’s ok. Thank God it’s not in one of the horrendous basket weave “checkered” stocks.
We can always smooth off that grip cap and chop out the white line spacer. Not like you need that extra stock length.

Grip cap stays. I may have to swap the recoil pad to a flat one if I can’t get the scope back far enough. With the current length of pull, I’m looking at a doughnut hole in the scope.

Ahhh the struggle is real for those vertically challenged…

That is the very first gun I went deer hunting with MANY moons ago. The rifle I used and cared for years was supposed to come to me after the original owner passed but if it ain’t written down in a will everyone “forgets” and the rifle had disappeared by the time I inquired and no one seemed to know where to.

Thank God good friends come through like yours and a few folks here conspired for me to get a nice example of a pre-64 88 too.

You did VERY well and you’re going to love that gun… it’s a beauty!!!

[Varmintmist]

Very nice. Just remember now that you have the itch scratched, you will find a 99 and...

both.png (94.45 KiB) Viewed 3368 times

[Zee]

Very nice. Just remember now that you have the itch scratched, you will find a 99 and...
both.png

I’m not opposed. Just given up hope.

[Zee]

99s are cooler, but that’s ok. Thank God it’s not in one of the horrendous basket weave “checkered” stocks.
We can always smooth off that grip cap and chop out the white line spacer. Not like you need that extra stock length.

Grip cap stays. I may have to swap the recoil pad to a flat one if I can’t get the scope back far enough. With the current length of pull, I’m looking at a doughnut hole in the scope.

Ahhh the struggle is real for those vertically challenged…

That is the very first gun I went deer hunting with MANY moons ago. The rifle I used and cared for years was supposed to come to me after the original owner passed but if it ain’t written down in a will everyone “forgets” and the rifle had disappeared by the time I inquired and no one seemed to know where to.

Thank God good friends come through like yours and a few folks here conspired for me to get a nice example of a pre-64 88 too.

You did VERY well and you’re going to love that gun… it’s a beauty!!!

If I’d never found this place in the beginning…………..I’d have so much more money.

[Wambli Ska]

Grip cap stays. I may have to swap the recoil pad to a flat one if I can’t get the scope back far enough. With the current length of pull, I’m looking at a doughnut hole in the scope.

Ahhh the struggle is real for those vertically challenged…

That is the very first gun I went deer hunting with MANY moons ago. The rifle I used and cared for years was supposed to come to me after the original owner passed but if it ain’t written down in a will everyone “forgets” and the rifle had disappeared by the time I inquired and no one seemed to know where to.

Thank God good friends come through like yours and a few folks here conspired for me to get a nice example of a pre-64 88 too.

You did VERY well and you’re going to love that gun… it’s a beauty!!!

If I’d never found this place in the beginning…………..I’d have so much more money.

Oh don’t blame it on anyone here. It’s a matter of low level of will power. I DISTINCTLY remember a young previous member saying that he was all done buying and building guns, probably almost 20 years ago? I laughed for a looooooooong while…

Then again I’m still trying to “thin” my herd

[CPJ 2.0]

Ahhh the struggle is real for those vertically challenged…

That is the very first gun I went deer hunting with MANY moons ago. The rifle I used and cared for years was supposed to come to me after the original owner passed but if it ain’t written down in a will everyone “forgets” and the rifle had disappeared by the time I inquired and no one seemed to know where to.

Thank God good friends come through like yours and a few folks here conspired for me to get a nice example of a pre-64 88 too.

You did VERY well and you’re going to love that gun… it’s a beauty!!!

If I’d never found this place in the beginning…………..I’d have so much more money.

Oh don’t blame it on anyone here. It’s a matter of low level of will power. I DISTINCTLY remember a young previous member saying that he was all done buying and building guns, probably almost 20 years ago? I laughed for a looooooooong while…

Then again I’m still trying to “thin” my herd

I was looking up the definition of “said the pot to the kettle” and found the above statement.

[Zee]

Ahhh the struggle is real for those vertically challenged…

That is the very first gun I went deer hunting with MANY moons ago. The rifle I used and cared for years was supposed to come to me after the original owner passed but if it ain’t written down in a will everyone “forgets” and the rifle had disappeared by the time I inquired and no one seemed to know where to.

Thank God good friends come through like yours and a few folks here conspired for me to get a nice example of a pre-64 88 too.

You did VERY well and you’re going to love that gun… it’s a beauty!!!

If I’d never found this place in the beginning…………..I’d have so much more money.

Oh don’t blame it on anyone here. It’s a matter of low level of will power. I DISTINCTLY remember a young previous member saying that he was all done buying and building guns, probably almost 20 years ago? I laughed for a looooooooong while…

Then again I’m still trying to “thin” my herd

I’ve significantly slowed down.








So far this year.

[Gene L]

That's a fine rifle. Looks like someone did some wood-work and did a fine job. I don't remember them with a cheekpiece.

[Zee]

That's a fine rifle. Looks like someone did some wood-work and did a fine job. I don't remember them with a cheekpiece.

It’s a custom Fajen, I suspect.

[LMLarsen]

Very nice! I’ve also thought about finding a Savage 99, but they do be spendy these days…

[Elk Creek]

That is an excellent rifle! Don’t loose that magazine!!’ They are expensive to replace!

Beautiful rifle!

[Zee]

That is an excellent rifle! Don’t loose that magazine!!’ They are expensive to replace!

Beautiful rifle!

That’s what my LGS friend said. May order one as a spare just in case they go up even more down the road.

[Zee]

Very nice! I’ve also thought about finding a Savage 99, but they do be spendy these days…

Yeah. The sub $5/6/700 ones are beat up. Nice ones I’ve seen are $800 and up. Don’t want one that bad.

[Elk Creek]

It will
Probably run you a c note