I am now the latest guardian of a modest collection of winchesters. The first Frankenstein’s Monster pulled from the safe is a mod 70 sn 707xx. Sadly she was chopped 3 inches from both ends. My association with the gun only goes back to the late 70s, so the work was done prior to that.
Do I live with it as is or use my time, talent and treasure to bring it back closer to original?
Any thoughts out there?
November 5, 2014
Hi 308Norma-
Assuming that the rifle is a pre64 Model 70, S/N 707XX would be a transition gun made in 1947. Cloverleaf tang and smooth top bridge with two factory D&T holes.
It’s a shame that the barrel and stock have been shortened so dramatically. Possibly someone made it into a Kid’s first deer rifle???
It is possible, albeit difficult and expensive, to find replacement (take-off) parts, i.e. a regular standard barrel in 257 Roberts dated ’47 or earlier and an uncut cloverleaf tang standard stock. But only you can decide whether it would be worth the considerable time/effort/money. The gun is probably worth about $1000 (parts value)… You could either sell it (someone would definitely by it for parts), use it for your own custom build, restore it, or leave it alone.
Your call…
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
November 7, 2015
Sounds like an excellent start on a custom rifle!
Mike
Both stock and barrel would be unicorns for sure. Tang is correct.. holes are correct. What I know for sure is she going to New Mexico to chase antelope in 2 weeks. I will use it the way the Winchester folks intended….. Shoot stuff. After that just maybe a custom (good idea Mike).
Thanks for the input.
Todd
(I’ll pull out another oddity after New Mexico. The safe has more than 1 Monster hiding in there)
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