Our Winchester Repeating Arms offices in Europe recently received a letter from one of its important distributors in South Africa. The letter is from Mark Drinn who manages imports at the same gun business as did his father, the late H.C. Drinn. We think this letter says a lot about the new Model 70 Safari Express and the impact the return of this great rifle has had on hunters all across the globe. We hope you enjoy it. 

Dear Winchester Repeating Arms:

Please would you pass on this e-mail to the "Powers that be" at Winchester USA?

My late Dad (H.C. Drinn) was probably one of the first arms dealers to import the Winchester Safari Express into South Africa in 1952. The serial number of Dad's 375 H&H is 245601. I will never part with this rifle of Dad's, but pass it on through the family.

The latest shipment of 32 rifles arrived last week after being sent to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) in Pretoria for proof tests. We received them at long last (from order date) on Monday.

As usual, we inspected ourselves all of these 32 rifles. I must compliment the Winchester Model 70 manufacturer for a superb quality rifle. The wood to metal finish is perfect, balance perfect, and with the "Pre 64" claw action and new MOA trigger etc., etc. . . . perfect. When the Safari is brought up to the shoulder, it sits perfectly as well.

As is the norm with our company (since 1921) we give a courtesy call to all the dealers who made a purchase of these Winchester Model 70s. Every one of the dealers who I phoned were absolutely "in awe" of the Safari Express and Super Grade. Their basic view was that at long last the "No. 1" African rifle is back on the shelf. Some dealers actually said it brought "tears to their eyes". The Safari certainly did that to me, with fond memories of Dad's use with his 375 Safari.

Best Regards

Mark Drinn

Letter used with permission from Mark Drinn, Import Director of H.J. Drinn (Pty) Ltd, South Africa.