Looking around on the various gun selling sites, I see some early 1960s Model 70s with stocks that have pressed checkering and plastic buttplates, instead of the trademark steel buttplates associated with the earlier 70s. When did these first show up?

I'm fairly certain the switch to plastic started in 1959...

Thanks Brad. My rifle was made in 1962, so it is apparently all original.

A friend had a M70 made in 1962. the buttplate had been changed out for a pad, but the checkering wasn't pressed, it was cut, but the amount was significantly less than was done just a few years earlier.

Ray, I will have to look more closely at the checkering, as my rifle was made in 1962 as well. I was 9 years old ...

My Model 70 was made in 1959 (Serial # 463XXX)

According to Winchester, the last serial number of the years indicated are as follows:

1957 - 425283
1958 - 440792
1959 - 465040

My rifle had a plastic butt plate.