Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade

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robertham1

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I recently purchased what I believe to be a Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade.

My question is what identifying marks are there that designate it super grade, other than the stamp on the floor plate? Is there any other sure fire way other than to call Winchester with the serial number? I know it has been restocked, very well i might add.

Thank you

- How much will the restocking affect the value?
 
While Fjestad's "Blue Book" gives a quick-and-dirty overview of the Model 70s, there are quite a few reference-type books covering all aspects.

In original condition, Super Grades are valued at about double the standard grade.
 
It is very hard to predict what impact a restock will have on any gun. Yours appears to be beautifully done and may add some, perhaps significant, value. My brother had similar wood added to his Winchester Model 12 Skeet Model and was offered $1,000 over "book" value. He turned it down because that is not the reason he added the new stock.
However, if you restock vintage collectibles, even with beautiful wood, it usually lowers the value.
 
Sniper66 is correct, a re-stock unless it's factory is like re-finishing an antique - generally not reccomended. Much of what makes a super Grade a super grade is in the stock, a 70 std with that stock would have similar collector value. Sometimes if the stock was made by a famous maker it becomes desirable etc... but that gets kind of tricky to value. That much said, nice gun.
 
It may be a nice stock but of has seriously affected the value of the rifle. It will cost you $600-1200+ to replace the stock with a original super grade stock
 
I knew that other than a post 64 Custom shop job the Super Grades did not have Fluer de checkering patterns. I wanted the serial # because of the .300 Winchester Magnum Caliber it prolly is a post 64 Super Grade as the .300 WINCHESTER was only made 6 months in 1963. The serial# will tell the story!
 
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The .300 Holland & Holland was also called the '300 magnum' in the U.S. for quite a while. My 1956 super grade is marked 300 H&H Magnum. Earlier caliber markings?, I just don't know.
Have you tried anything in it to see what it is chambered in? A 300 Win. Mag. will not chamber in a 300 H&H.

I agree with with Gordon about needing the serial. Just type it in like so - 'serial is 345xxx' - we don't need the entire number.

The safety is definitely post war, but I cannot see the tang in the photos. Is it a cloverleaf transition gun or is the tang a continuous oval? Again, the serial would likely clear that up.

I would disagree with Gordon on the gun being post '64. Never heard of a post '64 with the rear sight raised integral lug on the barrel.


The super grade bolt body, extractor, and magazine follower were engine turned (jeweled) and you should see the serial number engraved on the bottom of the bolt in a small polished smooth rectangle.
And, of course, the floorplate marking. That's it as far as differences in the barreled action compared to a standard grade.

The barrel is also dated on the underside next to the receiver. Other than the rare calibers or war2/immediate post war manufacture, the barrel and receiver date should be fairly close.

You pic of the action shows what looks like a polished smooth or blued? extractor.


My take on your nice rifle without more info, JT
 
I don't know why I thought it was a .300 Win Mag, yup just says .300 Magnum like a pre 64. Also the bolt knob appears solid making it a pre 1954 or so. The raised barrel section looks like a pre 64 on 2nd exam, but need serialization. Whatever it is a beautiful gun! Being the stock is not factory I'd prolly have it rechambered to .300 Weatherby and call it good! .300 H&H is much harder to find an a lot costlier. AND you still can shoot .300 H&H in the .300 Weatherby chamber.
 
I will get a serial number for y'all on Sunday as I'm on vacation. I'm positive it is pre-64.
 
A look at my reference book shows the Die Marking to read .300 Magnum from April 20, 1936 to June 24, 1950. On June 25, 1950 the Die Marking was changed to 300 H&H Magnum. That indicates this particular rifle was made before June 25, 1950. Page 243 of the reference book shows a picture of a special order super grade rifle that appears to have the same stock and checkering pattern as your photo. If this is true you have a very valuable rifle. BW
 
I believe the re-stocking has made that gun dangerous. Please send it to my house and I will be sure that you are protected from it...:p
 
With a beautiful stock like that purists be dammed!! That is beautiful.

Chances are pretty good that with a beautiful piece of wood like that that you also got one done by someone who knows what they are up to.

Let us know how it shoots!
 
The serial number is 140XXX. I haven't shot it yet. Should I be concerned about it being chambered in .300H&H instead of .300 Win Mag?
 
Shooter, I'm almost positive that this was a custom stock job as another model 70, not a super grade, that I picked up from the same fella has an identical stock. Yes, they are both beautiful.
 
Now, can you deduce anything from the sling mounts? The super grades sling mounts are not the swivel type.
 
FYI the serial number on the other model 70 is 315XXX.

That one has been re-barreled as well as restocked.
 
Robert, the super grade was made in 1950, and since Winchester changed the barrel marking die on June 24, 1950 that indicates the barrel was made prior to June 24, 1950. Look at the sling swivel bases. I can't tell from the picture but if each base has two screws that hold the base in place I believe the stock was made by the Winchester custom shop and the stock is original to the rifle. An original stock would have had a steel buttplate. Again, I can't see the buttplate in your picture. The second rifle was made in 1954. BW
 
Robert, the monte carlo stock with the raised comb didn't appear until 1951 so it shouldn't appear on your super grade and your stocks do not have the raised cheek pieces. I can't tell from the pictures but do your stocks have small cheek pieces. As to the recoil pads they were installed later. When an original stock is cut for a recoil pad it reduces the value of the stock. I think the recoil pads installed by Winchester were red in color. BW
 
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