I have purchased a very nice Winchester Model 70 in 338 Win Mag. It has controlled round feed, jeweled bolt with blued extractor, red recoil pad, a bolt knob with a circumferential band of checkering, and a single crossbolt. The serial number is G19xxx. If I use the book by George Madis "Winchester-Dates of manufacture 1849-2000",, and ignore the G, I get a date of manufacture of 1939. That would be very odd since the 338 Win Mag was introduced in 1958! Further on in the book he states that the G prefix was only used after 1968. While I'm at it, I also have a Model 70 in 375 H&H exactly as above except two cross bolts. It's serial # is G148xxx. That number alone would have been made in 1950 but I still have the "no G until 1968" problem. Any insights appreciated.
Thanks
Wallace

Wally
your description sounds a lot like my .338 Supergrade, mine was made in the early 90's I believe.
I believe both of your rifles to be post 64 manufacture and more like late 80's early 90's.

I agree with Snellstrom ..... definitely NOT pre-64. His estimate is real close.

Thanks to both of you. I'm always amazed how answers on this board are both quick and accurate!

PS Isn't it also true that rifles made in the late 80's or early 90's are generally concidered to be of better quality than those made later?

Wally
I have several of the Win M70's from the middle 80's through the present that are flawless in fit finish and function, utterly dependable. Some of the post 64's that range into the early 70's seemed to be a bit on the cheesy side I hear. Some of the bad press though is generated by the people that were disappointed when the 64' change came about and from that point forward Winchester could do no right no matter what steps they made. I am not in that crowd, yes I liked the pre 64's but I also really like the later production rifles as well and have been very satisfied with everything about them.
Good Luck with those rifles Wallace, enjoy them they are fine.

340 Wby that site doesn't work with the newer production rifles. It is a great reference for older Winchesters though and I rely on it heavily for that.
The search bar where you enter the serial number gives you a message " numbers only letters not allowed" but if you just drop the letter and enter number only it isn't accurate, only for pre lettered serial numbers.
Snellstrom

quote:

Originally posted by Wallace Gaye:
PS Isn't it also true that rifles made in the late 80's or early 90's are generally concidered to be of better quality than those made later?

I have a .300WM made in that time frame and it is one of the nicest over-the-counter rifles I've seen, with beautiful wood and very nice fit and finish. At first, I was kind of bummed because they later went back to the "classic" controlled round feed claw extractor, but I love the rifle and will probably keep it for a long, long time.

My buddy bought a M70 Featherweight in .308 around the same time period and it has the look of quality you'd expect from a custom rifle.

I only wish I had bought a Super Grade....

Oh well!

Good shooting,
desmobob

WG,
I agree with Snellstrom, your 338 sounds like a Super Grade. The Super Grade was the first Classic actioned production grade rifle introduced, in 1990. The 338's were among the first calibers offered. The 1994 model had a black fore-end tip, since you didn't mention a black tip, that pretty much puts it between 1990 and 1993. At any rate, a G19XXX is a very early Classic action. I doubt it is a first year model, or even second year, since other than Custom shop offerings, this was the only model offered in the Classic action until 1992, when the Classic action Featherweight came on line. The Classic Sporter didn't appear until 1994. So, those first few years were no doubt limited production. My best guess, is probably 1992.

If this is a Custom Shop rifle, all bets are off. I believe the Custom Shop had their own serial numbers reserved. I have a Custom Shop Classic that is a G10XXX, and I know it couldn't have been manufactured before 1996, since 1996 is when that particular model was introduced.

Your friends G148XXX puts it about 1996.

Regards.

Excuse me, WG, I mean your OTHER rifle, is probably of 1996 manufacture.

I agree with snellstrom on the website not being accurate for the late date stuff.

I entered my M70 G308xxx and got a 1954 mfg date ...for a post '64 classic SS/Synthetic 300WMg! LOL! Nah I doan't think so...but if anybody's got any insight I'd be curious to know a guestimate of its approx age.
Ron

verhoositz,
Most likely 1998, possibly 1999.

Yes. My 338 is a super grade. Flipped it over and there it is, stamped clearly on the bottom metal. As Yogi Berra once said, "sometimes you can see a lot just by looking" Took it to the range and it was certainly the rifle of the day. lots of lookers. The action is as smooth as a baby's butt

Mud Stud, Thanks I had figured it was built in the mid to late '90's so I'm not surprised. Decent finish and craftsmanship for the period ...and is what it is with no apologies ...but then I'm in it at a realistic net cost of about $400 too...which gives me some fudge factor to play with for detail work. SS/Synthetics will never be works of art to me...just better than your average hammer unlike like a fine finished heavily figured Walnut and high polished blued steel rifle sets my mouth to smiling.
Ron
Ron

Ron,
The Classic Stainless Synthetics are not beautiful works of art, but they are a fine working rifle! IMHO, of course. In fact, several of mine are so fine, that I'm thinking of putting them in McM stocks, because they deserve it, not necessarily because they need it!

I know next to nothing about the post-64's. Was never interested in them. But ALL pre-64 M-70's had the year of manufacture (two-digit) stamped on the bottom of the barrel just in front of the receiver ring. If they did that after 1964, then the year of manufacture is no mystery. Just take the barreled action out of the stock and look!

El D,
Since I have a coupla stainless Classic barrels hanging around here gathering dust, I took a quick peek at them. The only thing stamped on the bottom of these barrels is a short straight line, which I suppose is some sort of an index mark, or witness mark. No dates on these. Others may be different, I suppose.