Weatherby Custom Shop Mark V .460 WBY mag 26” Bolt Action Rifle & Box 1982
SOLD FOR: $1,892.87
LSB#: LSB250627NO004
Make: Weatherby Custom Shop
Model: Mark V
Serial Number: H156207
Year of Manufacture: 1982
Caliber: .460 Weatherby Magnum
Action Type: Bolt Action, fed by Internal Box Magazine, Hinged Floorplate.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “USE ONLY / WEATHERBY / .460 W.M.”. The left side of the receiver is marked “MARK V / U.S. PATENT NO. 3,013,355 / WEATHERBY / SOUTH GATE CALIF. MADE IN JAPAN.” The right side of the receiver is marked with the serial number “H156207”. The floor plate is marked “WEATHERBY CUSTOM” in a banner, with floral engraving.
Barrel Length: 26”, Round, Ported.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded brass beaded blade, dovetailed to a serrated ramp, screwed to the barrel. The rear sight is a fully adjustable Williams express sight, screwed to the barrel. The receiver is drilled and tapped for optics.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece, skip-line checkered, high grade walnut stock, with a rosewood capped semi-pistol grip, fluted monte carlo comb with cheek piece, vented red rubber buttpad, and a rosewood capped forend. The rosewood cap on the semi-pistol grip has a white diamond inlaid on the bottom. The LOP measures 14 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. There are sling studs front and rear. The stock shows minimal wear. Superficial storage marks are present on the stock, from being stored in the foam insert in the factory box. The finish is strong, and the wood exhibits excellent grain flow running throughout the entire stock. There are no chips or cracks. The stock fits the barreled action tightly, with no play. Overall, the stock is in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99%+ of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows no notable wear. The bluing is deep and dark throughout. The engraving, and all other markings are clear and legible. The jeweling on the bolt, and internal magazine follower are bright and vivid. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the safety. The trigger has a crisp and clean break. We did not fire this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with its original box, owner’s manual/paperwork, and test target from the Weatherby Custom Shop.
Our Assessment: The Weatherby Mark V has long been synonymous with high-powered big-game rifles, and the Custom Shop rifles elevate that reputation with superior craftsmanship, select wood, and meticulous finishing. Chambered in the formidable .460 Weatherby Magnum—the most powerful Weatherby cartridge—this 1982 South Gate, California-marked Custom Shop rifle embodies Weatherby’s pursuit of excellence in dangerous-game rifles. With its 26” ported barrel, it was purpose-built for taming recoil while still delivering the staggering power and velocity the .460 Wby. Mag. is famous for, making it suitable for the heaviest African and Alaskan game.
The .460 Weatherby Magnum was introduced in 1958 by Roy Weatherby, building upon his earlier success with cartridges like the .300, .340, and .375 Weatherby Magnums. At the time, there was no factory cartridge that could deliver the velocity and energy Roy envisioned for his dangerous-game rifles, so he created the .460 Wby. Mag. by necking up the .378 Weatherby Magnum case to accept a .458″ bullet. The result was the most powerful commercial rifle cartridge in the world for decades, holding that crown until the release of the .700 Nitro Express in the late 1980s. Performance-wise, the .460 Weatherby Magnum was—and still is—staggering. It is capable of pushing a 500-grain bullet at 2,600 feet per second, generating nearly 7,500 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. That’s more than double the energy of the venerable .375 H&H Magnum, and it made the .460 Wby. Mag. a go-to choice for hunting the largest and most dangerous animals on earth, including Cape buffalo, elephant, and Alaskan brown bear. Roy Weatherby himself demonstrated the cartridge’s capability on numerous African safaris, helping cement its reputation.
This example is beautifully preserved, showing 99%+ original bluing with no notable wear. The bolt and follower retain vivid jeweling, and the engraved floorplate proudly marked “WEATHERBY CUSTOM” highlights the attention to detail that defines these rifles. The select walnut stock is just as impressive, with skip-line checkering, rosewood caps, a white diamond inlay on the pistol grip, and striking grain flow throughout. Aside from faint marks from storage in its factory foam box, the stock remains in Excellent condition, as does the rest of the rifle. The bore is pristine, rating a 10/10, and the mechanics remain crisp and correct.
Complete with its original factory box, paperwork, and test target from the Weatherby Custom Shop, this rifle is more than just a hunting tool—it’s a collector-grade piece of Weatherby history. For those who appreciate fine workmanship and raw ballistic performance, this .460 Weatherby Magnum represents the pinnacle of Weatherby Custom Shop craftsmanship and remains one of the finest expressions of the Mark V legacy. Please check out our high quality photos, and good luck on your bids! – J.D.
