Need some help identifying a Woodsmaster 740

Lance8300 · March 9, 2013, 11:18 AM

I have obtained a Remington Woodsmaster 740
Magazine fed with matching scope.
It appears to have been manufactured July 1959
The problem I am having is identifying it.
After days of searching I can not find any info or photos of one like mine. Mine has a stainless colored barrel, receiver, magazine, sling rings, butt plate and scope.
It has beautiful walnut stock.
The fore stock has (7) large diamonds on lower side, the grip area has checkered design.

I would like to find out some more about this gun, am curious as to why I have not been able to locate another one like it.

Also curious as to rarity and value for insurance reasons. I'm not interested in selling as it is a family hand me down.

Goatwhiskers · March 9, 2013, 11:40 AM

Remington never made the 740 in stainless. Sounds as tho the gun and all parts may have been electroless nickel plated at some point, or the entire gun was stripped, polished, and some sort of sealer put on. Electroless nickel on a dull polished or blasted surface would resemble stainless. Scope could be stainless. Goat

Lance8300 · March 9, 2013, 11:44 AM

Added pic

jmr40 · March 9, 2013, 06:47 PM

Someone has no Nickle plated the gun. It didn't leave the factory that way. If done right it is an interesting custom touch that helps with weather resistance. Some would pay a little extra I would pay less

publius · March 10, 2013, 07:22 PM

Yes, I'ts Nickel plated. Very cool gun. I'd rather have yours than a standard blued.

Lance8300 · March 10, 2013, 07:58 PM

if it has been done after production then they did a fantastic job, it looks factory done. Even the smallest lettering and stamps are colored same but no appearance of filling the lettring. I love the look of it. Just had never seen another one like it! I got the matching (3) rd mag, (4) (10) mags and about 500rds of ammo with it. It shoots wonderfully, silver dollar grouping at 150yds with 10 rd mag.

skywag · March 10, 2013, 11:23 PM

Skans · March 11, 2013, 12:39 PM

Yes, those rifles were blued - no nickel and definitely not stainless from the factory. The good news for you is that these guns are not all that collectable - they routinely sell for about $300 - $350 on gunbroker. So, the aftermarket nickel job shouldn't hurt value in today's market.

I had one of these guns for years - actually just stored it for someone (and hunted with it some). It is actually a nicely made semi-auto 30-06. I've always felt they should sell for more than they do - never could figure this out. It did have a 20 round detachable magazine - held 20 rounds of 30-06. So, to all those antis out there that claim the AR is a "high-powered rifle", the Woodsmaster, with a 20 round magazine, is a true high-powered rifle.

James K · March 11, 2013, 08:44 PM

I am going to stick my neck way out on this, but IIRC Remington did/does offer a nickel plate option on some of its guns. It was in the really fine print in the catalog, but was intended for use in marine and seashore environments where a plain blue gun just wouldn't stand up.

Jim

Boomer58cal · March 12, 2013, 03:57 PM

Beautiful gun! I like it. On a side note...what caliber is is? If I my ask. And what brand are the ten round mags?

The only reason I ask is I've had very bad experiences with the KKK 10rd'ers. I only have experience with the long action like the 30-06. I've owned 10 old ones( 15 years ago) and 2 newer ones( I was told they had been fixed). All 12 functioned not just badly but dangerously. Sometimes damaging the PRIMER! and jamming the cartridge sideways in the action. Cabela's was good enough to refund my money on the 2 newer ones but KKK would not even talk to me and has ignored my letters. Letters plural and has not returned my $300 for the other 10. Sorry for my bitter rant just wanted to ask that you be careful and test the 10 rds'ers. I have heard the short action ones are better though. Be safe and nice find.

Boomer

March 9, 2013, 11:44 AM	#3
Lance8300 Junior Member Join Date: March 9, 2013 Posts: 3	Added pic Added pic

March 10, 2013, 07:22 PM	#5
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	Yes, I'ts Nickel plated. Very cool gun. I'd rather have yours than a standard blued. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

March 12, 2013, 03:57 PM	#10
Boomer58cal Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2013 Location: closer than you think Posts: 967	Beautiful gun! I like it. On a side note...what caliber is is? If I my ask. And what brand are the ten round mags? The only reason I ask is I've had very bad experiences with the KKK 10rd'ers. I only have experience with the long action like the 30-06. I've owned 10 old ones( 15 years ago) and 2 newer ones( I was told they had been fixed). All 12 functioned not just badly but dangerously. Sometimes damaging the PRIMER! and jamming the cartridge sideways in the action. Cabela's was good enough to refund my money on the 2 newer ones but KKK would not even talk to me and has ignored my letters. Letters plural and has not returned my $300 for the other 10. Sorry for my bitter rant just wanted to ask that you be careful and test the 10 rds'ers. I have heard the short action ones are better though. Be safe and nice find. Boomer __________________ The number one cause of death in the 20th century. 290,000,000 citizens were first disarmed and then murdered by their own governments. This number does not include those killed in war. We're from the government, we're here to help

March 9, 2013, 11:40 AM	#2
Goatwhiskers Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2009 Location: Batchelor, La. Posts: 579	Remington never made the 740 in stainless. Sounds as tho the gun and all parts may have been electroless nickel plated at some point, or the entire gun was stripped, polished, and some sort of sealer put on. Electroless nickel on a dull polished or blasted surface would resemble stainless. Scope could be stainless. Goat

March 9, 2013, 06:47 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	Someone has no Nickle plated the gun. It didn't leave the factory that way. If done right it is an interesting custom touch that helps with weather resistance. Some would pay a little extra I would pay less

March 10, 2013, 07:58 PM	#6
Lance8300 Junior Member Join Date: March 9, 2013 Posts: 3	if it has been done after production then they did a fantastic job, it looks factory done. Even the smallest lettering and stamps are colored same but no appearance of filling the lettring. I love the look of it. Just had never seen another one like it! I got the matching (3) rd mag, (4) (10) mags and about 500rds of ammo with it. It shoots wonderfully, silver dollar grouping at 150yds with 10 rd mag.

March 10, 2013, 11:23 PM	#7
skywag Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Posts: 254

March 11, 2013, 12:39 PM	#8
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Yes, those rifles were blued - no nickel and definitely not stainless from the factory. The good news for you is that these guns are not all that collectable - they routinely sell for about $300 - $350 on gunbroker. So, the aftermarket nickel job shouldn't hurt value in today's market. I had one of these guns for years - actually just stored it for someone (and hunted with it some). It is actually a nicely made semi-auto 30-06. I've always felt they should sell for more than they do - never could figure this out. It did have a 20 round detachable magazine - held 20 rounds of 30-06. So, to all those antis out there that claim the AR is a "high-powered rifle", the Woodsmaster, with a 20 round magazine, is a true high-powered rifle.

March 11, 2013, 08:44 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I am going to stick my neck way out on this, but IIRC Remington did/does offer a nickel plate option on some of its guns. It was in the really fine print in the catalog, but was intended for use in marine and seashore environments where a plain blue gun just wouldn't stand up. Jim