I just purchased a pre-64 Model 70. It has the clover leaf rear tang, but the date of manufacture is 1946. Serial number is 62XXX. Is this considered a pre-war rifle? Doesn't seem like it should be. I've searched for information but haven't found any regarding this rifle. One of the threads I looked at said this was considered a transition rifle. In another of the old threads, J Belk said that the best Model 70's ever built, were manufactured before WWII.

Anybody have any info on this style Model 70? Caliber is 30-06. I've been looking at it for about a year. The owner of the gun shop finally came down, and I came up, and I left with this rifle. It looks to be in about 85% condition. Came with a 3X9 Leupold in great shape. Safety moves forward for fire.

Thanks,
Joel Babcock

Joel, you have a transition model. The cloverleaf tang is the same as pre-war, but most everything else (bolt, stock checkering, drilled for scope mount) is post-war. The safety lever is unique to the transition rifles. While the travel is the same as post-war rifles, the lever itself is quite different, as you've probably noticed. Overall, these are highly desirable Model 70s.

I hope that was what you were looking for.

Mark

It was. The reason I bought the rifle was because of the excellent fit and finish. There were 5 pre-64's there and this one was nicer than all of them. The inletting was excellent, blueing was almost perfect, etc. He also has a pre-war 22 Hornet.

[ 09-03-2003, 15:32: Message edited by: JBabcock ]

The pre-war and the transition model have the cloverleaf tang.

The safety lever on a pre-war will swing to the rear to fire. The transition will swing to the muzzle to fire.

The safety lever on the transition changed to the type III lever toward the end of production of the transition.

The bolt shroud on the pre-war will be flat on top and the transition model will be round.

The bolt handle on the pre-war will have a 90 degree step and the transition does not.

The pre-war will have clip slots on all of the standard actions. The transition model has the clip slots on the target rifles in 30-06 only or by special order.

The rear bridge on the pre-war has no holes in the recessed and matted wavy line area. The transition has two holes space at .865 center to center,and no recessed wavy line area.

Serial numbers for the transition model are approximately 60,500 - 87,700 on the standard action and 63,200 - 121,700 for the magnum action.

Hope this helps to clear things up for you.

[ 09-03-2003, 16:07: Message edited by: Scrollcutter ]

The safety lever on the transition M 70 was nicknamed the thumbbuster, due to its shape. It has serations that come from the top down at a curve to a point. Image having cold hands and trying to quickly get the safety to move off to fire.

Some Hornets in this range have the pre war handle. This is due to the low sales and extra parts on hand.

Jim Wisner

I gave 600 for the rifle. He wouldn't come any lower, it came with a nice Leupold Vari X II 3X9, so I figured I gave 450 for the rifle. Is that price fair?

That seems like a pretty fair deal.

As with any collectible, condition is everthing. But, I have seen the actions alone for sale at $450.00. I can't attest to whether they sold for that, but that was the asking price.

Thanks for the info you've provided.

Good price.

Jbabcock,

Where is this dealer? I would be interested in the Hornet if it is still available at a reasonable price. Always wanted one, but never found one that hadn't been messed with or butchered.
Thanks in advance. E-mail me if it isn't too much trouble- bsfx@aol.com- Sheister

I didn't even look at it. I'll go look, then PM you.

Don't know if online gun buying is for you, but there is a pre-war Hornet on GunsAmerica right now. M70 Hornet Listing