Hello everybody
Your thoughts about changing the scope, base and rings of this little rifle.
It is a Winchester Model 70, Pre War, S.N. 33xxx. Has a Stith mount and a Weaver M73LB1 scope.
How about a custom scope mount and a fixed Leupold 4 or 6X mate scope.

Wow!!!!! Beautiful, old, and more importantly, an unmolested preWar 70!!!!

Whatever you do, do not alter that gun!

A larger scope may give you bolt handle and Safety operation issues.

I would look around for a scope that will work with no needs to alter the gun. Alter the mounting system tto your heart's desire, but don't alter that 70! That's probably $3,000+ in that caliber/condition! Nice 70!

I would just go get another Hornet to play with, or use this one as is. In addition to being an unaltered Model 70 in a rare caliber, many collectors will pay big for a period-correct scope and mounting system. I wouldn't touch anything on the rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
I would just go get another Hornet to play with, or use this one as is. In addition to being an unaltered Model 70 in a rare caliber, many collectors will pay big for a period-correct scope and mounting system. I wouldn't touch anything on the rifle.

+1
I have a Model 54 in 22 Hornet, in original condition, and that's how it will remain.
Both the Model 70 and the 54 in original condition are hard to find.

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
Wow!!!!! Beautiful, old, and more importantly, an unmolested preWar 70!!!!

Whatever you do, do not alter that gun!

A larger scope may give you bolt handle and Safety operation issues.


I would look around for a scope that will work with no needs to alter the gun. Alter the mounting system tto your heart's desire, but don't alter that 70! That's probably $3,000+ in that caliber/condition! Nice 70!

Don't mean to bust your ballon but I don't think that is an "original" safety lever, it looks like a Tilden conversion to me. Am I wrong?

my .22 hornet was made in '37... and has a redfield 4-14x40 on it....stock is rougher than the rifle, has a recoil pad, and i'd rate the rifle at 80%... i paid $1300 for mine last yr...

Nope you are not wrong. I totally missed that when I focused on the undrilled rear bridge and unaltered bolt handle. I don't think it is a Tilden; I think it is a copy of a Tilden. Still it is no big deal to find an original lever and replace it. Nice old preWar 70 for sure though.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
Wow!!!!! Beautiful, old, and more importantly, an unmolested preWar 70!!!!

Whatever you do, do not alter that gun!

A larger scope may give you bolt handle and Safety operation issues.


I would look around for a scope that will work with no needs to alter the gun. Alter the mounting system tto your heart's desire, but don't alter that 70! That's probably $3,000+ in that caliber/condition! Nice 70!

Don't mean to bust your ballon but I don't think that is an "original" safety lever, it looks like a Tilden conversion to me. Am I wrong?

Kechuti

It would be a sin at the very least, not to mention destroy a lot of intrinsic value, to alter such a classic rifle. leave it and use it as is. If you want a "modern" .22H there are numerous available. I'll trade you stright across for my M40 Savage with it's 6.5x20 scope on it and simply make do with that lowley 2.5 scope.

Larry Gibson

I have almost the exact same set up but a little later prewar serial number. It was tough finding that sodak coyote at 250 yards last year with it. What I am probably going to do is find a 6, 8, or 10x Unertl and I already have the period bases that use the front 2 holes on the front receiver ring and the dovetail on the barrel rear sight. No holes drilled, still vintage, but more effective. I can always put the original Weaver 330 back on it. That's what I would, am going to do.

My thoughts? Leave it as is.

Please...just sell that one to me...and get another to put a new scope on.

OK thanks. I will keep it as is.
Regarding the safety lever, well I do not know if it is original or after market. As I understand for a time Winchester could install a Tilden by client request.
Maybe there is a Winchester expert that could clarify the question. Is it an original Pre War
safety lever or not??
By the way, it has an unusual 1.25 sling swivel.
A few more images

I am not an expert, but do know a thing or two. That is a Tilden. Tilden's were a factory option. Whether it is "original" to that gun would depend on the invoice to back it up. It isn't hurting a thing on there and very may well be original. That is a beautiful rig! There are not many prewars around in that condition and much fewer 22 Hornets.

Check and see if there is evidence of an elevator from a 22G rear leaf sight. If there is no wear there, the Stith mount and Tilden very well could be original equipment. That would be proof enough for the most diehard collector. But again, those are factory options as well as aftermarket upgrades. They didn't alter anything to install them is the biggest plus!

Thanks airgun1
Here are two better images of the rear sight dovetail where the front ring is isntalled. Hope is what you ask to see.


Regards

Under the scope tube on top of the barrel where the elevator would have ridden (about an inch and a half to two incxhes behind the goose egg) if one was ever installed. I have to say it again, that is a very nice rifle! I am a pre 64 fan.

It wasn't many months ago that I saw a Pre 64 M-70 Hornet for sale and the guy had a price of $5000 on it..WOW!!

DMB asking and getting isn't usually the same. What did it go for?

Hornets around here go for $1,600-$2,500

This unmolested prewar should bring around $3,000 maybe more.

Kechutti,

Most of your questions have already been answered but here's a bit more information from "The Rifleman's Rifle" by Roger Rule.

Your rifle was made in 1941. Receiver s/n 33414 was made January 6, 1941. Winchester lists the date of manufacture as the date when the rifle was assembled, not necessarily when the receiver was made. The serial number range for 1941 was from s/n 31676 to s/n 41753.

Standard swivel had 1" bows but 1.25" bows were usually supplied on rifles with heavier barrels (such as .375 H&H models) and could be ordered on any model.

As airgun1 has already noted the safety is a Tilden. Although not listed in the Winchester catalogs these were available from the factory on special order (as were Pachmayr safeties).

In fact quite a few non-catalog options available on request, such as different stock styles and wood, barrel lengths, set triggers, even the number of rifling grooves and rate of twist.

Stith mounts are themselves becoming collectible both for their quality construction, and for practical use by those who want to scope older classics, without damaging collector value by drilling and tapping.

I'll echo what others have said and say this is a fine classic rig. I wouldn't change a thing. Only 20,306 M70s were ever chambered in .22 Hornet. Many were "improved" in the 1950s by being rechambered to .222 Rem.

Incidentally if you are a pre-'64 fan the currently available soft-cover third edition of Roger Rule's book is about the best investment you can make.

Dave Anderson