So I bought the .375 Win Model 70. I should be receiving it this week. How do I trace down year made, etc. the most efficient way?

It is supposed to have a Shilen barrel on it, but from what I understand they only have the caliber stamped on the barrel- of course a serial #. Are there ways to confirm that it is a Shilen that came from the Win Custom Shop?

These are probably stupid questions, but I have always dealt in new guns, so this is a new experience for me. Thanks...

Winchester used to offer 'traces' for a nominal fee.

Contact them directly to see whether they still do so.

George

Date of manufacture by serial no. information for pre-64s is readily available from a number of books and sources on the Internet.

But I have not seen anything like that for post-64s.

I think GeorgeS is correct in that Winchester may be your best bet for the information you are after.

As for the barrel, if it is factory original and was installed by the Winchester Custom Shop, it should have two "proof" marks stamped on top of the barrel near the receiver ring, one the standard Winchester mark, and the other the Custom Shop mark.

You trace it by putting apiece of paper over it and drawing the lines