I seem to have a habit of making a short story long but, the skinny on Model 70 Mannlicher Style Rifles, 7004. it is first necessary to identify the rifle in question. Roughly, Winchester made +/- 2401 of these Model 70 Mannlicher Style 7004 ("rack" rifles). A few mannlicher stocked Model 70 rifles of variations and caliber...special orders... were made in Winchester's Custom Shop and by a few outside contractors. To address the issue , they are not included. Also, any "after market" conversions were made with mannlicher stocks. Beware, counterfeit stocks are being manufactured today and are represented as "rare finds". Original 7004 receivers were picked off line and the serial number was hand etched onto the bolt. In the first year of "official production" (1968) the bolt handles were smooth. From then on the bolt handles were knurled.
Many features of the original stocks and metal are easy to identify it you know what to look for. For instance, an original M70 7004 never had "lightweight" or "carbine" stamped on the barrel. The original stocks were made by Fajen.... ALL OF THEM!! however, the current production stock is made on a copy-cat jig and even to an experienced eye, is difficult to pick out. It is no trick, using a featherweight or carbine post 64, to cut the barrel, refit an after market stock and claim it is an original.
The serial number test for the date and style of manufacture is inconclusive . I have original appearing mannlicher style rifles with serial numbers indicating dates of manufacture from 1966 through 1974. In my attempt to focus the caliber mix, I believe the quantitys are as follows: 30-06 = 1204, .270=593, .243=387, .308=217. This information has no published basis but if you contact me, I can share with you the sources from which it was derived.
This is the best information I have based on the 40 years I have followed this rifle. I will continue searching until it can eventually be verified or disproved.
Interestingly, The rifles were not a "HOT ITEM". The reason? Perhaps the European styling was not popular after the Cold War. For whatever reason, Winchester sent about half of these rifles to overseas markets. Therefore only about half the rifles remain in the U.S.. I have catalogs showing, in addition to the U.S., they were marketed in Europe, Canada, and Australia.This could suggest that the Model 70, Mannlicher Style Rifles (Model 7004) remaining in the U.S. represent the most scarce group of production rifles ever made by Winchester. For additional information or simple palaver, feel free to contact Steve.
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