I bought a couple of pre-64 mod 70 stocks and can't for the life of me figure out the checkering on one of them. I have not seen this style before.The checkering on the top stock is the one that I am not sure about. Thanks for any help

jimmyd,

if it helps you, that stock came off a transition 30-06 standard weight, SN 92,XXX (1947). Being that the rifle is more than 20 years older than me, I guess I can't garauntee it was the original one.

I sold that represented as being original and unaltered (other than a refinish), which as best I could tell it was.

If you find that it is not what you wanted, just let me know and we can reverse the deal.

free_miner,
If he "reverses the deal" and I know he won't, I will take it. I am very sure that this was some custom checkering at Winchester and not a redo. Jimmy has sent me some larger format photos to examine and I am 95% sure it is not only original but also very unique.

Jimmy, I'm certain that the top stock has been resanded, refinished, and recheckered.

The bottom appears to be refinished, but the original checkering is certainly there.....

AD

Top stock is not a factory Win. pattern...

I agree with Ray, I think it is a re-done stock unless there is a provinance.

free-miner, no complaints here, it was a great deal and just as you stated. I have looked these two over and measured and the one in question has not been sanded and re-checkered unless it was much thicker than the other stock.
Interesting to say the least.

The checkering pattern in question was offered at the factory, but was a special order only option. As a result, it is seen, although rarely, on supergrades or xxx walnut. Rule has pictures of a few in his book. It would not have been offered on a standard grade stock such as this. Nice to look at but not factory.

Jimmy,
I was going to ask you to check the dimensions. The stocks were cut on a multi spindle duplicator and the outsides are very uniform. To get rid of the border, you would have to cut a lot of material away so that it was not seen in the checkering. As Prewar 70 said, it was offered as a special order.

One other thought about the stock dimensions, these stocks are of different vintage and during that time, the stock patterns and dimensions were changed. The top one coming from the mid/late forties and the bottom one from the 50s. One difference that you can see in the picturs is the pistol grip heel. The top one is still using the fully shaped oval whereas the bottom stock Winchester contoured the heel to blend into the bottom of the stock. This was done as a cost savings. My point being, that the stocks most likely didn't have the same dimensions regarding thickness to begin with so their current measurements don't really provide anything conclusive. If you get a chance to look at Rule's book, flip to the "special Order" chapter to see a few examples of this pattern and how they differ from your's as well as the type of rifle and wood it was used for.