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May 6, 2026
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Hello everyone, I’m hoping to tap into the expertise here. I recently inherited a firearm collection (13 guns total) and am in the process of researching. I’m not a collector myself, so any input is appreciated.
Two Winchesters in the collection are Pre-64 Winchester Model 70s in .30-06, and I’d love guidance on both:
• A Pre-64 Super Grade with factory “SUPER GRADE” stamped floorplate, original Lyman Alaskan 2.5x scope (#17021), Lyman 48 receiver sight base, fancy walnut stock, decorative leather sling, and original Winchester buttplate. Serial 61978, approximately 1946-47.
• A Pre-64 Standard Grade with original Lyman Alaskan 2.5x scope (#20038) on a Redfield JR mount. Plain stock and buttplate. Both guns are in excellent condition.
I contacted the Cody Firearms Museum and unfortunately their records don’t cover the serial range for the Super Grade, but the factory SUPER GRADE floorplate stamping appears to be its own authentication.
My questions:
1. What is the value range for both given current market conditions?
2. Would you recommend selling through a specialty dealer, auction house, or directly through a collector network like this one?
3. Is there anything about these two rifles I should be documenting or verifying before I list them?
Any guidance from folks who know these guns is genuinely appreciated. Thank you in advance.
May 14, 2025
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Hi Scubamom and welcome,
There will be others who can better help with value but they will need pics and serial #’s to do it any justice. You can easily visit websites like GunBroker.com and GunsInternational.com to see what your guns are currently selling for. This will help you to know a ballpark of their worth. The best way to get top dollar is by selling them yourself on those same sites. However, if that is more work than you desire I would recommend you sell them at a Bass Pro shop or a Cabela’s. For the most part, they don’t cheat folks. If you check out those websites I mentioned, you can help yourself to avoid being cheated by knowing their worth. We can also help out if you choose to upload pics and give us more data. We are sorry for your loss! Buck
May 26, 2017
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Once the model 70 guys see this they will most likely be able to help you, they may want you to send them more pictures to verify the guns too. Be patient they will come along and be very helpful….
November 5, 2014
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Hi Scubamom-
I confess I’m confused by your photos. The Lyman scope (#17021) appears to be on a M70 Super Grade S/N 12723, not S/N 61978. Is it possible that the Super Grade is S/N 12723 and that the Standard rifle is S/N 61978? Just typed in the wrong place?
Anyway, assuming it’s the Super Grade, S/N 12723 was made in late 1937. The condition of the rifle appears to be very good. The rifle has the early front sling swivel placement, and I’m assuming that is a Redfield full gold front sight (photo is dark but it looks like one). The sling looks to be the one Winchester would have provided with the rifle. The wear to the floor plate is very common on the early guns where the bottom metal was charcoal blued. The only major distraction is that the receiver was drilled on the bridge for the Redfield JR scope mount base.
So… As to value… IMHO a completely unaltered (no added hole) 1937 vintage 30 GOV’T’06 Super Grade in excellent condition is about a $5,000 gun. I’ll show a slightly earlier one (with factory Lyman 48WJ receiver sight) below. How much the hole in the bridge hurts the value depends on the buyer, but I’d say knock off a third. The Lyman scope (with good finish and clear glass) could itself bring $250 to $300. So my guess at value would be around $3750 for rifle and scope.
It’s hard to give a value on the second rifle without some pics to estimate graded condition. Assuming the serial number is 61978, then it’s a “transition” era gun. Good news is that those receivers had a bridge that was smooth on top with two factory drilled holes. So the addition of a scope doesn’t hurt value. Of course, Standard rifles bring less than Super Grades, transition rifles bring less than unaltered pre-war guns, and 30 GOV’T’06 was the most common caliber. Still, assuming it’s in true excellent condition, I’d put it in the $2800 range (again plus the value of the scope). The gun I’m picturing below is what it should look like, except mine is a 270 WCF. Any detractions, like an added recoil pad, would cut that value in half IMHO.
I have no sepcific recommendations regarding the best way to sell them. I’ll leave that to others with more experience selling guns. I will add that there’s no additional “documenting” or “verifying” the rifles that you can do beyond getting the serial number application date from the lookup tool on this website. As CFM told you, there are no surviving records on Model 70s to consult. If you list them for sale yourself, just be sure to show LOTS of good clear pictures. I’d suggest you go on Guns International and look at M70s listed by “Frontier Guns” (Dave Morris), just to illustrate what good photos look like and which views are helpful.
Hope this helps,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
May 6, 2026
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Hello,
Thank you for all the feedback. I’m working through the responses and greatly appreciate the input.
I just took a ton of photos of each gun and the links are listed below.
Super Grade
Standard
