Make: Weatherby
Model: South Gate Pre-Mark V
Serial Number: 594
Year of Manufacture: 1951 / ATF Classification: C&R
Caliber/Gauge: .300 Weatherby Magnum
Action Type: Bolt action, controlled round feed
Barrel Length: 26", chrome lined
Sights/Optics: There are no provisions for iron sights. The top of the receiver has a one piece Redfield base with an unmarked scope atop. The rangefinding reticle is slightly foggy and the scope rates in Good condition.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is one-piece wood with a cheekpiece, checkered semi-pistol grip, checkered forend, and a synthetic Weatherby buttpad. A Jaeger trigger is installed. The forend and semi-pistol grip are capped. The buttpad has minimal handling wear. The furniture shows a few light pressure dings and drag lines. The LOP measures 13.5" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. There are no chips or cracks. The furniture rates in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp with faint fouling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its original metal finish. There are a couple spots of very faint freckling as well as light finish loss on the trigger guard and bolt handle. The most notable blemish is a very small spot of oxidation on the left side of the barrel that was scrubbed. The screw heads are faintly tooled and retain turnable slots. The markings are clear and complete. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Scope
Our Assessment: The early South Gate Weatherby rifles represent the formative years of Roy Weatherby's company, when his high-velocity cartridges were being paired with premium commercial actions and individually finished sporting rifles before development of the Mark V. Serial number 594 is an especially desirable three-digit example and falls squarely within the approximate 1951 South Gate production range of serial numbers 501-900. The .300 Weatherby Magnum was one of Roy Weatherby's original cartridges, first offered in 1945 and developed from the .300 H&H Magnum case to produce substantially greater velocity. This rifle retains the distinctive character of an early Weatherby sporting rifle with its custom-style wood furniture, capped grip and forend, Jaeger trigger, and period-style scoped configuration.
This rifle retains about 97% of its original blued finish, with only a couple spots of very faint freckling, light finish loss on the trigger guard and bolt handle, and a very small scrubbed oxidation spot on the left side of the barrel. The wood furniture remains in Fine condition with a few light pressure dings and drag lines, but no chips or cracks. The Weatherby buttpad shows minimal handling wear. The chrome-lined bore is bright with sharp rifling and faint fouling, with no erosion, rating 9.5/10. The unmarked scope has a slightly foggy rangefinding reticle and rates in Good condition. The screw heads show only faint tooling, the markings remain clear and complete, and the action functions correctly. Overall, this three-digit Weatherby South Gate Pre-Mark V rates in Fine condition as a C&R rifle. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
