Pre 64 mod 70 questions

[ScottG1911]

I just picked up a model 70 serial # 300xxx. This is the first time I've ever owned one, so I guess I'm looking for info on how to identify what I have. I don't see any type of markings of featherweight, or such. Another thing, The bluing looks is great condition, with only just a little wear on the bolt handle, such good shape I wonder if it's been refinished. Any way I can tell if it has?

 

[Abel]

It looks like a sporter not a FW. Bluing look OEM too. Nice find. Takin' her huntin'?

 

[rcmodel]

No, not refinished.

I can tell that much even from the poor cell-phone photo's.

You done good unless you paid upwards of 8-9 bills for it.

rc

 

[ScottG1911]

Nah can't hunt deer with rifles here, it's an 06 guess I could nail some coyotes.

Yeah I traded a glock 19 for this gun, I knew I was getting a hell of a deal!

 

[sage5907]

Your rifle is a Standard Grade made in 1954. It appears to be as close to original condition as you can get. It doesn't make much difference in price as to whether the stock has been refinished as long as the finish is good, with no cracks and the blue is in good shape. The stock has a shallow dip above the pistol grip and forearm checkering that wraps under the forearm which indicates the stock is probably original to the rifle. The etched serial number on the bottom of the bolt should agree with the serial number on the receiver. It has a steel floorplate and trigger guard. The bolt handle has been drilled at the factory and this change was made by Winchester and started to apprear with the introduction of the featherweight in some rifles in 1953 and could be in a standard grade in 1954. I disagree with rc in the value of the rifle. 1954 was a really good year for quality and accuracy and a good representative rifle will bring over $900 and probably higher depending on how nice it is and the caliber. If the checkering is sharp to the touch it has either not been refinished or been refinished by someone who cares about the quality of the rifle. Some people will add a coat of stock finish over the original Winchester finish and that may be with your rifle. To summarize, you have a real quality rifle and I would add a good scope and sling and shoot it without making any other changes. If you paid $1,200 for the rifle you didn't get hurt!

 

[jmr40]

Unless it was made prior to WW-2, or is in a rare chambering or configuration it has no real collector value. Being a standard model in probably the most common chambering, it is a shooter worth $600-$700 depending on condition.

You see some listed for a lot more, and sometimes find people foolish enough to pay collector prices for shooter guns. But that does not mean it is worth it.

 

[sage5907]

jmr40, if the barrel hasn't been free floated I would take that rifle anytime over a newly manufactured Model 70 selling for $900. I don't know what part of the country you live in but the bare action and bottom metel will bring over $700 where I live. One attribute that makes this 1954 rifle desirable is that Winchester used the "hook" rifleing method in 1954 and changed to the "broach" method in 1955 for their standard grade rifles. The "hook" method continued to be used in 1955 only for super grade rifles and rifles made in their custom shop. I live in Oklahoma and Tulsa has two of the largest gun shows in the U.S. each year. If you walked into their 11 acre building with this rifle slung over your shoulder and a piece of paper taped to the barrel saying Model 70 $700 you would sell it for cash before you could walk the length of the building. Dealers watch the door for people to walk in with guns for sale.

 

[ScottG1911]

I'm not sure I want to sell it or not, I guess if I had the right offer I would. I took this to my grandpa and the first words out of his mouth were "oh my god how much do you want for it" lol. I'm really starting to like this gun more and more.

 

[Float Pilot]

Here in Alaska that would be a $1,100 to $1,200 rifle. They have a cult following and they get used to death...
30-06 is one of our favorite chambering's. If I had seen that one, it would have been a foot race to the cash machine...

 

[Gordon]

While the most common (and maybe best) caliber-30-06 that rifle is pretty cherry and would sell for at least a grand around here. A shooter versus NIB collector which would be $1500+ is still very valuable in actual cash value because someone would pay up to a grand to get the unworn action and maybe the cut rifled barrel to make into a high end custom. Sure people get deals, like you did, but still like has been mentioned those old "Rifleman's Rifle" are gonna go nowhere but up if kept nice.

 

[Speedgoat]

Post war featherweights don't have the 'dog knot' barrel for your rear open sight mount.

 

[joed]

I'm not sure I want to sell it or not, I guess if I had the right offer I would. I took this to my grandpa and the first words out of his mouth were "oh my god how much do you want for it" lol. I'm really starting to like this gun more and more.

You don't really want to sell that rifle. Savor it, and use it when you can. To bad we can't deer hunt in OH with rifles. You can however use it for varmint hunting, that's how I use mine.

Nice find. That's probably one of the nicest looking pre 64's I've seen. Most are shot out and beat to death and the owner wants 1k.

 

[Zeke/PA]

A Pre-64 in good shape can bring in $1000 to $1200 easy.
The steel buttplate is a plus.
The .30-'06 is a plus as it was sombody's "Deer Rifle" which didn't suffer any REAL abuse.
My pet Model 70 is a Pre-War '06 that I bought in 1960.
It has accounted for 31 PA Whitetail Bucks and still sports the 4X Redfield that I installed.
Still shoots 1& 1/4" groups with reloads.
The right guy will pay top dollar for this rifle.

 

[sage5907]

Just one more comment about this rifle. When I see a 1954 rifle with old Weaver scope mount bases that tells me the rifle probably had those bases installed back in the 1950's and the rifle was probably used by someone who didn't shoot a lot and based on the condition of the rifle he also didn't hunt a lot. Looks like it spent a lot of time in someone's closet.

 

[eastbank]

my own md. 70 serial # 269416 in 3006 made in 51 came to me in a trade. i have not shot it and i don,t know if or when i will, i bought several win left hand CFR rifles to use,so the older md 70 will stay in good condition while i own it. top rifle is the older md 70 in 3006,second rifle is a newer md 70 a ss 270 and the bottom is a newer md 70 is a 7mm mag. both shoot as good as any deer deer rifle i own and i own quite a few. eastbank.

 

[BADUNAME30]

That is one beautiful rifle Scott.