I was under the impression that production on Model 70's started in 1937, but a friend has a .22 Hornet M70 with a 1935 date on the barrel that he was looking to use for the action to build a .223. The action has a pair of holes for an old Stith mount in the receiver and has the wood cut out where a receiver sight was installed. Now we are wondering whether the collectors value even with the extra holes, etc. might justify finding a newer action. Was Model 70 production started in 1935 or earlier?

They started manufacture in 1935. The .22 Hornet is a valuable hard to find model 70, but one from the first year would be even more so I would imagine.

[ 08-16-2003, 03:43: Message edited by: Customstox ]

I think they used up some model 54 barrels on the very early M70's, hence the barrel date preceding M70 release date. But hey, my memory is terrible. I just moved and don't know what box my M70 book is in!