The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - I inherited a beautiful, old Weatherby rifle. Want info.

Jim Watson · July 22, 2012, 11:32 PM

Thanks for the pictures.
You have an early Weatherby built on an FN (Fabrique Nationale, Belgium) Mauser action before the Mk V came out.
Caliber is undoubtedly .243 Winchester, there just is not another round with the .243 designation. The proprietary Weatherby cartridge shooting the same bullet is the .240 Weatherby and is not interchangeable.
The rifle was made in a narrow window of time between the introduction of the .243 Winchester in 1955 and the introduction of the Weatherby Varmintmaster in 1964; probably even before the Mk V in 1958; which agrees with your study of the serial number.

It looks in pristine condition. I would take the sling off of it so it does not scrub up the stock finish. The swivels are quick detachable, a little examination will show how to unscrew the little knob and press the pin out of the stud on the rifle.

Blue Book says a 100% unused Mk V is worth up to $1765. Add 20% for a non-Mk V action. You say you do not wish to fire it. If you want to keep it as a memento of Grandpa, great. If you want to liquidate it, be very careful, a dealer will not give you more than about half its retail value.

July 22, 2012, 11:32 PM	#12
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	Thanks for the pictures. You have an early Weatherby built on an FN (Fabrique Nationale, Belgium) Mauser action before the Mk V came out. Caliber is undoubtedly .243 Winchester, there just is not another round with the .243 designation. The proprietary Weatherby cartridge shooting the same bullet is the .240 Weatherby and is not interchangeable. The rifle was made in a narrow window of time between the introduction of the .243 Winchester in 1955 and the introduction of the Weatherby Varmintmaster in 1964; probably even before the Mk V in 1958; which agrees with your study of the serial number. It looks in pristine condition. I would take the sling off of it so it does not scrub up the stock finish. The swivels are quick detachable, a little examination will show how to unscrew the little knob and press the pin out of the stud on the rifle. Blue Book says a 100% unused Mk V is worth up to $1765. Add 20% for a non-Mk V action. You say you do not wish to fire it. If you want to keep it as a memento of Grandpa, great. If you want to liquidate it, be very careful, a dealer will not give you more than about half its retail value.