On the right hand side of the receiver, just ahead of the bolt handle, is the number “1275” which indicates the month and year of production, in this case, December of 1975.

This example is one of the Manchester rifles and is marked as such on the left side of the receiver, just in front of the bolt release. The Mark X was built originally built in Manchester, England with production later switching to Yugoslavia. The Interarms Mark X is one of the most under appreciated Mauser 98-style rifles ever made. Stock:Checkered wood with w/stock recoil lug, black tip, white line spacers, and vent recoil pad The stock is in good shape with only minor handling marks. The recoil lug prevents the stock from cracking over time due to recoil and is a common sight on rifle stocks used for guns chambered in magnum rounds.

The stock is a Monte Carlo type with checkering, black fore tip, white line spacers, pistol grip cap, ventilated recoil pad, sling swivel studs for a sling, and most importantly, a recoil lug. There are some light scratches on the barrel in front of the receiver and some micro pitting in spots. The rifle is in fairly good shape for its age and is retains virtually all of its bluing. It can still be fired to relatively long distances, hence the drill and tapped receiver. The 458 was intended to be used at relatively short ranges in the same fashion as the old English double rifles (aka elephant guns), not as a long range sniper cartridge. It comes with standard iron sights, which in this case is actually better than using a scope. The Express is drilled and tapped for mounting a scope but is not currently fitted with one. Some ammunition experts consider the 458 to be overkill for North American game, but it can be argued that overkill is far better to have than not enough. Winchester eventually worked out the kinks and the 458 became one of the most widely used dangerous came cartridges in the world, seeing use in both Africa and North America. The 458 had a somewhat difficult start due to the performance of its powder which did always perform as intended, leaving the cartridges specs somewhat overstated. The 458 Win Mag was originally introduced back in 1956 in the famous Winchester Model 70, which is also a Mauser 98-based design. An Express Model, this rifle is chambered for the legendary 458 Winchester Magnum round. Interarms Mark X Express Rifle 458 Winchester Magnum Manchester Dangerous Game Rifle

.458 win interarms markx