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My father who is getting up there is talking about selling his 264. It’s a model 70 Featherweight 264 Winchester magnum, it was made in 1962, based on the serial number, 549607. To the best of my knowledge it’s been fired 3 times, and the condition was said to be 100% when i took it to the local gunsmith to have him look at it. I was just looking for any websites that may be able to provide where the firearm was manufactured or any other information regarding the rifle. How rare the Featherweight is vs the regular 264, things of that nature. I was going to put it up on Gunbroker, but wanted to have as much information as i could regarding the rifle. Any help is appreciated.
The value in like new condition is close to $3,000. All pre-1981 Model 70 rifles were manufactured at the Winchester factory in New Haven CT. There are no published production numbers that I am aware of.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
The 264 Featherweight (Featherweight Westerner) is quite a bit scarcer than the standard weight 264 (Westerner) model. Rule lists production of the Fwt at 3,116 rifles, and the standard weight at 20,998. The Featherweight should have the factory Winchester ventilated recoil pad, while the standard version had the typical plastic Winchester buttplate.
Steve
Thanks Steve and Bert, it does have the ventilated recoil pad like you state. Interesting on the numbers that were produced. I talked to a gun dealer at a local shop, they have sold at least one of the standard weight 264’s for 3800 dollars. Steve, do you have a link to where you got the information related to the amount of the rifles produced?
Sorry, no link. Information came from my copy of Roger Rule’s “Rifleman’s Rifle” Book. This book is no longer in print unfortunately, it is the bible on 70’s.
I am really surprised at what your dealer told you as far as what he sold a standard Westerner for. I wouldn’t think a NIB example would bring that kind of money. I think it would be a stretch to get $2K out of a nice one. As far as the featherweight version, I think a nice 95% + rifle would most likely fall in the $2000 to $2500 range. A like new example might make the $3K range, but I doubt it in today’s market.
Steve
November 5, 2014
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Hi drummy29-
I agree with Steve (seewin) of course… If you’re talking about dead mint (original unfired looking) examples, the regular 264 WIN MAGNUM Westerner (26″ barrel) is maybe a $2200 gun on the right day (compared to a similar mint 1962 30-06 SPFLD Standard rifle that’s maybe an $1800 gun).
The FWT Westerner, despite being one of the dumbest products Winchester ever marketed, in similar mint condition is maybe $1000 more, say $3200 tops, b/c of the lower production numbers. The asking price on mint late S/N FWTs in other calibers these days is maybe $1800, although I do not know how many are selling at that price point. My “flamethrower”, as the short barreled 264 WIN MAGNUM FWT is sometimes called, is unfired with hang tag (no box) and I doubt I could get more than the above mentioned figure for it.
If interested Roger Rule’s book on the M70 can still be had in paperback for about $100:
ie=UTF8&qid=1544745858&sr=1-1&keywords=roger+rule
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
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