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November 5, 2014
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Just an undocumented and subjective observation from the M70 world… Not that I couldn’t document, just that it’s more work than mere bloviating… 
The “rare” M70 market has been overwhelmed by fakes for literally decades… We all know that… 
The recent trend I think I’m seeing is that the fakers used to front 98% guns in 38-55, 9 M/M, 219 Zipper, etc. More recently, they’ve been leaving the 80% 30 GOV’T’06 Standard rifles (parts guns) they start from in their original condition and “downgrading” their fake parts to match… Prices don’t go down, of course…
I think they read this forum…
So when it comes to M70s, I don’t think I can derive any comfort from Zeb’s point #3…
Just my take…
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
March 14, 2022
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A lot of similar thoughts on this going both ways. Nothing nicer than a beautiful case hardened deluxe. Personally I can accumulate more high condition standard guns from a financial perspective than I can deluxe and the enjoyment of several different models fulfils my addiction(I mean interest 😬).
And I’m not sure who feels the same but, even with condition, if the bore is a sewer pipe, it usually does not stay in my stable. I’ve had some mostly patina guns with not so great original blue remaining on them, but the bores had excellent rifling and shiny that somebody took care of and cleaned and these remain in my collection.
Rick C
January 20, 2023
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Rick, I have tried buying a gun I don’t intend to shoot and it was like bubble gum that lost its flavor overnight. I realize that’s just me and there are plenty of splendid guns in the collections of my friends here that really shouldn’t be shot, either because they are too fragile or because of their historical significance.
Its just that none of my gun’s tick those boxes and that’s what I like. A shiny, sharp bore on a tight shootable action is my personal preference.
I learned early that 1927 was a banner year: non-corrosive priming hit the marketplace. Not that we all haven’t seen rust bucket bores that were made after that, but Chrome Moly steel and the absence of salt residues make the “my gun’s are jes tools” cretins work harder to destroy a barrel.
And Lou, the best fraudsters probably do read this forum. Fortunately, this forum serves as a jury of experts with a strong inclination to get them indicted, tried, convicted, financially ruined, and given a generous vacation in Club Fed. One necessary element of a prosecution for art fraud is a couple of disinterested experts. We have those here.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 7, 2015
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My threshold these days is 80%. I love my 70% guns but on the advice of seasoned collectors I’m trying to set my sights higher for future acquisitions. I’ve had a few 95-98% standard guns but they’re all gone. I have no use for a gun I won’t shoot or am afraid to work on. They have been useful for financing my quest for 80-90% guns that I can shoot. My few “Deluxe” guns are gone, unfortunately I haven’t made much, if anything, when selling them. It’s a moot point for me these days. I spent too much on shingles, doors, windows, floors, siding, paint and trim last year to be looking at much of anything. Newish ride is nice but that check was a bit tough to write as well.
I agree with the risk of high condition guns, especially “Deluxe” guns. I would love to collect a few Model 70’s and maybe a Colt SAA but I have no confidence in my ability to spot a fake or reconditioned gun.
Mike
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