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August 24, 2016
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I have a M-70 target model with serial number 267xxx that was made in 1953. According to Rule’s book no Target models were made except for “Special Order”. I’m just curious if there are any production numbers for special order guns during that period.
Thanks
April 15, 2005
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Earl,
If the answer to your question is not in Rule’s book, I do not believe the information is available in print or otherwise.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 5, 2014
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Hi Earl-
I’m not sure where to find annual production figures by catalog symbol for the M70 target rifles from 1952-1954. Wish I did.
My personal opinion is that this is mainly a case of a ‘disconnect’ between the Winchester catalogs and their actual production, b/c target rifles in the 1952-54 serial number range seem to me to be no more or less common than target rifles in other years. 
It’s true that Winchester (temporarily) dropped the target model (and bull gun) from their 1952 catalog. When previously cataloged in 1951, the target model was available in .220 SWIFT, .257 ROBERTS, .270 WIN, and 30-06 SPFLD (the other more obscure chamberings had been dropped in 1947). In the 1953 and 54 catalogs those four chamberings were listed as available on special order (possibly an effort to deplete existing parts inventory). When officially re-instated to the catalog in 1955, the target model was only offered in .243 WIN and 30-06 SPFLD (even though a good number of target rifles chambered for .220 SWIFT were also made 1955-63).
As far as actual production during this period, we know courtesy of Evaluators Ltd records that 1952-55 was when most of the “Van Orden” orders were filled, amounting to about 300 G7044C 30-06 target rifles. Technically, these were “special order” of course, and the majority went to various US military marksmanship teams. Also interesting is that Winchester specifically cataloged a “special order” target rifle in .308 WIN in 1953 and 1954 (this being when all the target rifles were “special order”). So the factory was manufacturing target rifles during this period, not just depleting excess inventory.
I have 1953 (.270 WCF; S/N 250764) and 1955 (.220 SWIFT; S/N 354793) target rifles in my collection. I suppose both would be considered “special order”, the former b/c of the year of manufacture and the latter b/c the chambering was no longer cataloged. That said, I do not consider them anything unusual. 
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
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