Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
I saw a post 64, push feed, M70 with a serial number that begins with the letter “U”, not the letter “G”. The letter and the numbers seemed to match.
I have not been able to locate any information on a M70 where the serial number starts with “U”.
The rifle had a heavy barrel (30-06) with the Winchester logo that is upside down. I assume that the barrel had been rechambered.
Barrell dimensions:
1.14 inches at the receiver, straight taper to .906 at the muzzle
23.25 inches long measured from the front of the receiver to the muzzle.
Slots for a stripper clip appear to have been milled in rear of the receiver. Accordingly, the front hole on the rear receiver is gone.
It measured about 5.5 inches center to center from the forwardmost hole to the remaining hole in the rear receiver.
The stock appeared to be custom with a thumb rest.
Thanks for your thoughts and help.
Certainly not the best person to answer here, but notably the focus in this Forum primarily on Pre ’64. First the precept that the “G” serialization was not mandated prior to the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968. Prior, serialization continued from 700,000 without prefix. I also seem to recall something about Winchester getting some kind of deferral for perhaps a year additional due to receivers already serialed for rifles not yet produced. Don’t know if that’s correct. I do have a Win Model 88 Carbine, by SN manufactured in 1968. It without any prefix.
Perhaps the “U” for early uncataloged edition of the Post ’63 “Ultra Match” Model 70. Officially custom order or some such from 1972 and the of course mandatorily bearing standard “G” Model 70 rifle prefix. Such described in “Rifleman’s Rifle” book P. 375. But, conceivably some equivalent prior to GCA law, though perhaps such arguendo, more in category of “nothing impossible”.
Here’s a visual reference to such UM rifle for sale: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/benchrest-and-target-rifles/winchester-post-64-model-70-ultra-match-30-06.cfm?gun_id=101152415
Otherwise…
1. Any way you could examine this rifle carefully?
2. Can you post the entire SN, or at least a partial with “X” placeholders for last couple of digits? / Are whole number & U prefix centered on receiver ring?
3. Have you contacted Winchester to inquire?
4. By inverted logo, do you mean a “W” inside an oval proof over the chamber area or actual barrel nomenclature on barrel right side (facing forward).
5. Can you quote the entire nomenclature on the barrel?
6. Possible to remove the barreled action from the stock to observe & report here, any additional nomenclature/markings?
8. Any seller/posessor info/assertions concerning the rifle?
Noting: That the stock described not likely original if rifle itself legit. The charger clip slots you describe a factory feature of the UM rifle referenced above and receiver scope holes quite possibly a later addition.
This is a situation where good complete photos ever so much more useful than verbiage!
Such here, my ‘inexpert’ effort to assist as possible.
Hope you can return with some of the above matters responded.
Thanks for the query and good luck!
Just my take
I appreciate your interest. Even though this is a pst-64, this forum has far more collective wisdom than other sites.
I am new to the forum and I need to figure out how to post pictures. In the meantime, I have a few answers and observations to your questions.
I was able to take a look with the action out of the stock.
1. Any way you could examine this rifle carefully? The bolt looks like an unmodified post 64. There is no claw. No serial number on the bolt. The barrel appears to be rotated at least 180 degrees as if to rechamber.
2. Can you post the entire SN, or at least a partial with “X” placeholders for last couple of digits? / Are whole number & U prefix centered on receiver ring?
“U 1705xx” The serial number is sharp, clear and centered on the receiver ring.
3. Have you contacted Winchester to inquire? Yes, they had no idea, the gentleman said that Winchester only used the letter “g”. He had never heard of a “U” prefix.
4. By inverted logo, do you mean a “W” inside an oval proof over the chamber area or actual barrel nomenclature on barrel right side (facing forward). Barrel nomenclature now all on the right side, upside down
5. Can you quote the entire nomenclature on the barrel?
WINCHESTER (R) MODEL 70-30-06 SPRINGRG
MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL
6. Possible to remove the barreled action from the stock to observe & report here, any additional nomenclature/markings? No other observed markings. There are screw holes in the bottom of the barrel for a scope base. These hole are 180 degrees from the top of the barrel. The rear of the receiver has two slots for a five round clip. The slots do not appear to be completely identical. The forward scope base hole on the rear receiver is gone. Only the rear hole remains. It appears the clip slots consumed the forward hole.
8. Any seller/posessor info/assertions concerning the rifle? Said that it was used for NRA across the course in the 70’s
Thanks again for thoughts on this action. A mystery to me.
Thanks for the additional info. I believe from the SN, to know what you have with some interpolation. A Winchester Model 670
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_670). Made with blind magazine. The SN of the 670 allegedly began at 100,000 in latter 1966. The “U” prefix I believe is simply altered. If not, no answer.
Someone has screwed a Model 70 barrel on in swap and that “70” nomenclature, a false lead. The clip guide slots still not making sense. Perhaps a modification or…? I think you should try a 30-06 headspace gauge and if any resulting question/issue, make a chamber cast or the like to determine with certainty the chambering of your rifle. We know the nomenclature isn’t correct for model and that the barrel has possibly been altered beyond simple swap.
Hope that solves your questions.
Good luck!
John
Hello,
A “U” prefix SN, indicate that the action is a Sears, Roebuck contracted Model 70, built duringthe 70’s.
I have a “Ted Williams M73, it differs from the M70, by lokking at the safety, does it have a “square” flag or the standard M70
drooping round knob? If the flag then the Sears contract.
Caliber was the 30-06, sound like a rebarrel using a Winchester heavy /varmint ‘ profile barrel.
Originalstock is likey a Maple or Birch wood, with the blind magazine {no floorplate}.
Hope this helps.
JR
Well JR… More than “…just helps!” Solves the riddle made complex by the Winchester barrel where the Ted Williams name would have provided nomenclature obviating the entire question. Indeed, apparently a TW (Sears) Model 73. I spent a bit of time Googling that pivotal clue. Amongst an absolute clutter of info and well meaning misinfo, the nuggets supporting you exactly! I was seeking to determine whether, my next theory, that the “U” might have been the same sort of prefix of the Win Model 70 “G” function post 1968. Nothing definitive from my research and moving toward ‘number of Angels dancing on pinheads’. (St. Thomas Aquinas critique) Functionally insignificant.
I did learn that there were two differing safety actuators employed. One the standard Winchester three position; another the Remington style two position. Perhaps that’s what you were describing? Also factually, the Model 73 with blind magazine, paralleling the Win Model 670. Interestingly, there are a number of very positive comments concerning functionality and accuracy of the Models TW 73 & 670 Win.
For those interested, a closed Internet auction with many good photos of a TW Model 73: https://www.gunsamerica.com/947251174/WINCHESTER-TED-WILLIAMS-MODEL-73-30-06-SPRINGFIELD.htm
Thanks again for the ‘pivotal clue’ 🙂 🙂 🙂
John
1 Guest(s)
