Attn: SERIOUS winchester collectors

07 November 2002, 15:17

Gentleman (and you to Ann),
I have without a doubt handled one of the MOST amazing rifles ever. This is not a bigbore, nor a fancy eurogun. Its not a custom job out of a well known smiths shop. It is a plain ol pre(way pre)64 mod 70. What makes this one stand out you ask? IT has a 3 digi serial (4XX) placing its mfg at 1935. It has a short barrel,(not carbine) and is in, I kid you not at least 90% condition. It has an origianl box of 30 GOV 06 shells with it. The checkering is near mint with a definitive hand done touch. It also has a silver grip cap, that as an insciption stating it was presented to such and such from union oil, 1937. Oh, the original sight hood is on it as well. I have been asked to find a home for this rifle by the owner, who is an old freind. I will have pics and more details tomorrow evening as well as some idead of what he is going to want for it. This rifle is the best looking pre 64 I have ever seen. I nearly lost my breath when he handed it to me and it took nearly an hour to be abe to breath right again. It has very minor handle marks and its...just... well A DAMM NICE RIFLE.

There is also a model 55 takedown in a 30 wcf with a 3 digi serial (7XX, mfg. 1924) in great shape as well and a belgium BAR in 338, unfired! ANyway I will get more details tomorrow and start spreading the word. I thought the folks here deserved first shot at these. I wish I could find a way to keep them for myself but with christmas around the corner and a family to buy for, dad comes in last place! LOL!

Regards,
JAG

07 November 2002, 15:32

JAG

I slipped, the date of mfg is 1936.

According to this link:

http://oldguns.net/sn_php/winmods.htm

the date of mfg is 1935, but that cant be right.... Still got the jitters and will dream about her tonight.

JAG

07 November 2002, 18:44

<Matt77>

If you have to find a new owner for it, why not make it you? Sounds like an awesome winny to have!!

08 November 2002, 09:04

Frank C

That website/program has changed manufacture dates over the last month. I've got a pre war mod 70 serial number 1XX that went from 1936 to 1935.
Better go to a book instead.

08 November 2002, 13:28

<gruvinbass>

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding was that there were for all practical purposes no sporting arms made in the US during WWII, and that site just told me that my M70 was made in 1944.

09 November 2002, 20:12

Atkinson

you need to post a photo...I don't understand a short barrel but is not a carbine..Is it a 20, 24 or 26" barrel??? What do you value this rifle? Give me a call or email. Is this a pre war or pre 64, it must be a pre war gun with the backward safty and the clover leaf tang, correct?

10 November 2002, 08:58

JAG

Ray her are the links to the phots.

http://home.pacifier.com/~jgifford/mod70-1.jpg

http://home.pacifier.com/~jgifford/mod70-2.jpg

http://home.pacifier.com/~jgifford/mod70-3.jpg

http://home.pacifier.com/~jgifford/mod70-4.jpg

http://home.pacifier.com/~jgifford/mod70-5.jpg

http://home.pacifier.com/~jgifford/mod70-6.jpg

http://home.pacifier.com/~jgifford/mod70-7.jpg

As for the barrel, I talked to a fellow and he led me to belive that the early ones were called short barrel and not referred to as carbines. He could be wrong as I dont know enough about the early ones to say one way or the other.

JAG
Hood River, OR

10 November 2002, 09:10

<Terry P>

The carbines were listed by Winchester as a standard rifle with an optional carbine barrel back then. If the rifle has a 3 digit number it was made in 1936 which was the first year of production.
I can't quite see the rear bridge but it looks like it has not been drilled and tapped.
Interesting rifle. I would be interested in the rifle. How much does he want for it?
Terry

[ 11-10-2002, 00:18: Message edited by: Terry P ]

10 November 2002, 11:31

JAG

Follow link to other thread about this rifle....

http://www.serveroptions.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=37;t=000096#000008

JAG

16 November 2002, 07:58

MacD37

I would say without looking it up, the rifle was probably MADE in 1936, but the Mod 70 Winchester rifles were not introduced to the public till 1937, the year of my birth. The Mod 70 and I are twins, both introduced to the public in April 1937! [Wink]

[ 11-15-2002, 22:59: Message edited by: MacD37 ]

16 November 2002, 08:03

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by gruvinbass:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding was that there were for all practical purposes no sporting arms made in the US during WWII, and that site just told me that my M70 was made in 1944.

gruv, all the gun makers built firearms right through WW II, it was cars that weren't made for civilian use! Ammo was hard to get in some cases, outside .22 rimfire, and shotgun ammo. I shot a lot of deer durring WW II with a 22 single shot, because centerfires were a little scarce!

28 December 2002, 13:28

VarmintGuy

My reference books clarify that indeed Model 70 Winchesters were made through most of 1936 but were held in warehouses until January 1st 1937. The Model 70 was introduced to the public in the American Rifleman Magazine issue dated November 1936. I have several copies of this magazine issue and it is a handsome and flattering article on the Model 70. The introductory article on the Model 70 was written by F.C. Ness (noted author and Rifleman of the times). I have handled two double digit Model 70's in my hands and one single digit Model 70. The carbine is (I believe) the proper name for the photographed Rifle being referenced here. I can find no factory reference for a "short Rifle" Model 70 (pre 1964 Models). With the apparent wood refinish job to a shiny lacquer and no other major alterations the Rifle in my opinion would be a $1,500 to $1,750 value.
I love those pre-War Model 70's! Their fit and finish is top flight!
2,400 Model 70 Winchesters were made during the years of World War II! They were not specifically designated to the month they were built like in previous production and again after World War II.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy