WOW! . . . .

You guys are great!

I might have to LOWER my condition rating a mite, as the floorplate and hinge has been worn “bright” from hand-holds in the Vermont/New Hampshire whitetail woods!

But the stock exhibits ONLY TWO MINOR handling marks, so I guess the former owner/hunter was VERY CAREFUL!

(Thank You, former owner . . .who ever you are!)

I'm reviewing the catalogs right now for a chapter.  But I've only gotten to 1950, so this is from (feeble/failing) memory... 

The 243 WIN (MC only), 270 WIN (MC and low comb), 30-06 (MC and low comb) and 358 WIN (low comb only) were added in 1955, like Zeb said.  The 358 WIN was only in the catalog for 1955-56, but both '55 and '56 barrel dates are known so they didn't make the barrels all at once.  Low comb stocks were last cataloged in 1959.  The Featherweight-Westerner, 264 WIN MAGNUM, with MC stock and factory recoil pad, hit the catalog in 1962.

The issue of sights on Featherweights is interesting b/c it generates some controversy.  (I have a feeling that BoRich is going to get after me again!!!  Dave Riffle gave me grief some years ago!!!).  In the original catalog listings of the Featherweight in 1952 (308 WIN only) BOTH stock styles were described (and pictured) as having the folding rear sight (Marbles 69).  Based on what I've seen in the survey, I believe this does reflect actual production.  The "tall" Winchester 22K sporting type rear sight for low comb Featherweights comes into play in 1954 (so you see it on later 1953 receivers). 

I have two relatively early low comb 308 WIN Featherweights.  S/N 224336 (1952) has the Marbles 69 (like yours), which was certainly correct for the MC comb.  The other (S/N 271309) is a late 1953 gun.  Still a Type III-2 action (solid bolt handle).  It has the Win 22K.  I think both are correct.  Others may disagree!!!

Best,

Lou

By far, the largest pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight production was in 30/06 Springfield. It wasn't even close. Why?

Men born in 1923 were eligible for military service when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. Survivors were only 40 years old in 1963. Those born in 1943 were eligible for service in Korea by 1951. Survivors were only 30 in 1963.

It is a safe bet most men who bought new pre-64 Featherweights during the years of production - 1952 through 1963 - either were serving or had served in an American military branch during wartime or were closely related to someone who was or had done. The standard infantry rifle and light machine gun cartridge during WWII and Korea was the .30/06 Springfield.

Alhough the 7.62 x 51mm a/k/a 308 WCF cartridge was adopted in about 1952 to replace the 30/06 as the standard NATO infantry rifle cartridge, the Springfield cartridge was still in wide use by NATO affiliated armies  in 1963. 

In Southeast Asia, some units of the United States Marines still fought with the 1903 Springfield chambered in 30/06. The squad infantry weapon was still the 30/06 BAR. The M60 had not yet completely replaced the .30 Browning machine gun. 

The pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight offered no material weight, or any length, reduction when chambered in 308 instead of 30/06. The 308 version was built with the same  action as the 30/06 version, with a shorter bolt stop. The 30/06 Featherweight could do anything the 308 version could do -- and a not insignificant amount more at the heavy bullet end. Most buyers of the Featherweight couldn't see any reason to choose the 308 chambering. 

Does that mean the 308 Featherweight is a poor choice? Of course not. An excellent marksman can humanely kill anything that walks on the American Continent with a well placed, modern 180 grain bullet out of a .308 WCF rifle. It has a superior reputation for accuracy. The shorter cartridge in a light, handy SAKO Forrester I once owned is delightful to carry in the field. Would a 30/06 loaded with the 250 grain Barnes to maximum safe velocity be better for Coastal Brown bear or bull Elk? Yes, if that is what you hunt. 

Both Featherweights I've owned are in 30/06, one of which I just bought. If everything else had been the same  - production year, condition, price - but the chambering had been 308, I'd have still bought it in a New York minute. But the collector market values relative scarcity.

Louis Luttrell said
Hi Jim-
If you don't mind...  Does it have a low comb or Monte Carlo stock, and what is the rear sight?  Marbles 69 folding or Winchester 22K sporting type?
Yours is indeed an early one.  Somewhere around 219,000 is where the earliest M70 Featherweights in the survey fall (with a few exceptions)...  My earliest regular Featherweight is s/n 224336:

Best,
Lou
  

Hi Lou . . . .

My Featherweight has a Monte Carlo stock . . . .and the rear sight is just like the one you pictured. (I guess it is a folding Marbles)

I would say the rifle is in about 90-95% condition.

I installed a 3-9x40 Leupold.

About when did they offer these early Featherweights in calibers OTHER THAN 308?

If you don't mind...  Does it have a low comb or Monte Carlo stock, and what is the rear sight?  Marbles 69 folding or Winchester 22K sporting type?

Yours is indeed an early one.  Somewhere around 219,000 is where the earliest M70 Featherweights in the survey fall (with a few exceptions)...  My earliest regular Featherweight is s/n 224336:

Best,

Lou

Serial #221891

I’m of the belief it was made in June, 1952.

Am I correct on this date?

Thanks-a-Bunch!

iamdman9545 said
Hi guys.
Great feedback.  As far as Bass goes, I've bought many guns from them.  They ship for free to your local store and you're able to take a pass on it if the condition is worse than expected.  I noticed on Guns International there is a lag in their listings and many times the guns are sold shortly after the listing even goes up so I don't think anything scam like from that.
Seeing the listing on Merz is making me feel pretty good on the $750.  I can always add period correct sights later.  Can work on getting the stock finish back closer to original with a coat of Linseed oil.
Looking forward to seeing it in person.
Either way, I don't think I'd be out any money if I wound up selling it in the future.
Thanks.
Stephen
  

What is the correct serial number of the rifle please?

Michael

steve004 said

oldcrankyyankee said

Bo Rich said
The featherweight has a polished extractor, as appears from the picture.  The Super Grade appears to be missing the Super Grade sling swivels, sight hood, and does not appear to have the proper gold bead front sight.  The pictures are not the best.  So,  I won’t add any more comments.  They would make fine hunting rifles.  After reading the description it states that a sling, and Super Grade swivels are included.  I did not see them pictured.
  

Thanks Bo I was hoping you and Lou would chime in. I think he is just looking for a couple of good hunting rifles and I had no advise for him on these, They don't have a lever. LOL! So thanks again and will pass this on.
  

I'm not understanding why he wouldn't be looking for a .45-90 to hunt with?

Ya, well he's from Florida, only comes up here to his lake house. You know how those guys are. LOL, 

oldcrankyyankee said

Bo Rich said
The featherweight has a polished extractor, as appears from the picture.  The Super Grade appears to be missing the Super Grade sling swivels, sight hood, and does not appear to have the proper gold bead front sight.  The pictures are not the best.  So,  I won’t add any more comments.  They would make fine hunting rifles.  After reading the description it states that a sling, and Super Grade swivels are included.  I did not see them pictured.
  

Thanks Bo I was hoping you and Lou would chime in. I think he is just looking for a couple of good hunting rifles and I had no advise for him on these, They don't have a lever. LOL! So thanks again and will pass this on.
  

I'm not understanding why he wouldn't be looking for a .45-90 to hunt with?

I don't think you're in danger of losing money on this carbine.  Let us know how it works out.

Great feedback.  As far as Bass goes, I've bought many guns from them.  They ship for free to your local store and you're able to take a pass on it if the condition is worse than expected.  I noticed on Guns International there is a lag in their listings and many times the guns are sold shortly after the listing even goes up so I don't think anything scam like from that.

Seeing the listing on Merz is making me feel pretty good on the $750.  I can always add period correct sights later.  Can work on getting the stock finish back closer to original with a coat of Linseed oil.

Looking forward to seeing it in person.

Either way, I don't think I'd be out any money if I wound up selling it in the future.

Thanks.

Stephen

steve004 said

twobit said

steve004 said
And here's what $3000 will buy you in a 1892 .44-40 SRC 
No blue, cracks in the wood and as a bonus, a social security number inscribed on the receiver:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1892/winchester-model-1892-src-in-44-wcf.cfm?gun_id=103763089
The Cabala's one is sounding more like a scam.
  

I would tend to say that the current $3000 asking price by Merz is definitely on the high end.  He bought it at RIA for $2350 in February of 2024 as Lot #4172 and listed it in April of 2024 at $3000.  For 2 years people have looked at it and said "no".
Michael
  

Michael - 
I certainly agree with you on the price point for Merz's .44-40.  I'm surprised he would shell out $2350 for it.  However, I'm thinking his is likely a better deal than the carbine the OP posted (given sending money off for that carbine might result in NO carbine)!
  

That scratched in S S number on the receiver is an immediate turn off for most. IMO!

The lack of finish on the .44 src, is a common condition for most that saw the hard use they saw, as you guy's are well aware of. That thing would be long gone if not for the S S Number! 

Tony

twobit said

steve004 said
And here's what $3000 will buy you in a 1892 .44-40 SRC 
No blue, cracks in the wood and as a bonus, a social security number inscribed on the receiver:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1892/winchester-model-1892-src-in-44-wcf.cfm?gun_id=103763089
The Cabala's one is sounding more like a scam.
  

I would tend to say that the current $3000 asking price by Merz is definitely on the high end.  He bought it at RIA for $2350 in February of 2024 as Lot #4172 and listed it in April of 2024 at $3000.  For 2 years people have looked at it and said "no".
Michael
  

Michael - 

I certainly agree with you on the price point for Merz's .44-40.  I'm surprised he would shell out $2350 for it.  However, I'm thinking his is likely a better deal than the carbine the OP posted (given sending money off for that carbine might result in NO carbine)!