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I am trying to further a research project on Model 70 “Gopher Specials” with an eye toward a possible article, and I’m writing to ask if anyone can lend me a hand. 

Most Model 70 fans know that between 1959 and 1963, Gopher Shooter’s Supply of Fairbault Minnesota cataloged “sightless” Model 70 Featherweights made for them on special order by Winchester.  The first (1959) order is well documented, e.g. in Roger Rule’s book, and consisted of Featherweight Model 70s in 243 WIN, 270 WIN, and 30-06 SPRG. What seems to be less known is that later Gopher catalogs contained expanded offerings, indicated that there were at least two jobber orders placed.  There are no known (to me anyway) records, either from Gopher Shooter’s Supply or Winchester, of serial numbers or even number manufactured, but it’s somewhere in the hundreds. 

Beginning in 1960, Winchester specifically added the option of “sightless” Model 70s to their own list of “extras”, which doubtless accounted for a significant additional number being produced through special orders placed by individuals.  So without original documentation linking a specific “sightless” Model 70 to Gopher Shooter’s Supply, it is impossible to determine (and generally irrelevant) whether a given gun came from Gopher or directly from the factory.  I’ve got S/N information (in the M70 survey) for over 150 (probably genuine) sightless Model 70s, and there’s some interesting stuff there regarding when these sightless guns were made… 

I have access to the rifles and/or images of rifles that I need for this project, as well as all of the relevant Gopher and Winchester catalogs.  What I’m looking for are:

1. Does anyone have an original Gopher Shooter’s Supply invoice/receipt (and/or box/shipping label) that accompanied a “Gopher Special” with impeccable provenance?  If so, would you share a digital scan of the paperwork?

2. Does anyone know of additional documentation, outside of Rule’s book and the relevant catalogs mentioned above, of the dates and numbers of Gopher Specials?  Anything… Even prior articles or web posts…  It seems to me that I recall seeing some other discussions, but my Google searches only turn up parroted recitations of the incomplete information in Rule’s book… 

3. I am still gathering Gopher (genuine factory sightless Model 70) serial numbers for the survey.  If anyone, who hasn’t already helped, has one and is willing to provide style/serial number/chambering, it is appreciated… 

Here’s a late production “sightless” Model 70 Featherweight 243 WIN.  Is it a “Gopher Special”?  I’ll never know…  But they were in the Gopher catalog all the way through 1963…

Anyone with information to share can PM me or send an e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected].  Nothing shared would be used/reproduced without the owner’s permission.

Thanks everyone!!!

Lou