MODEL 70 in 348 WCF ?|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

rogertherelic said
The question I would have, would be the problem of using a rimmed cartridge in the Model 70 action.  Any thoughts?  RDB  

Roger,

When using rimmed cartridges in a bolt action magazine well you stack your cartridges with the rim in front of the rim on the cartridge underneath it. That prevents the underlying cartridge from being drug forward until the nose of the bullet hits the magazine box and the top cartridge either jumping the rim on the underlying cartridge or hanging on the rim causing failure to feed. I do it all the time with a custom Mauser action chambered in 220 Swift (semi rimmed) Simple and effective…..

Erin

I love a mystery!  🙂  For me, beginning with “probabilities”, which seem pretty remote.  Provenances…  None, but then factory provenances generally ‘aren’t’ anyway. So otherwise, something which connects the rifle with perhaps an original owner; here not. 

Also, shouldn’t there have been mention of such a rare gun in all the years before now?  Archeologists do have wonderful artifacts literally pop up from digs.  Here, this gun has presumptively been in someone’s hands.  Were it mine, I’d have been touting it.  Of course Model 70 Sn “1”, also seems have just popped up some few years ago. Or perhaps I’m just not paying attention.  So the ‘out of the ether’ would seem a legitimacy concern.

When it comes to an unusual chambering stamp, analysis a mixed proposition.  Certainly a central matter to be scrutinized! On the one hand, it just doesn’t look to me like my several other Model 70 rifles, particularly of ’42 vintage and in .270 & 30-06. A matter of seeming ‘freshness’ of the 348 stamp.  The other side of the proposition; Hello! It was unique then. Presumably not a matter of production line stamping as manufactured. So perhaps cutting some slack required.  The, net, remaining to me ??? 

I did wonder about the lack of thousandth designation period preceding “348”, whether should be “.348”, but just a quick survey of some of my ordinary prewar Model 70 rifles, led to some chamberings employing the ‘period’ and others not. Another net, inconclusive!  My own sole early Model 71, without photo file documentation and asking for comment whether the chambering demarcation employed a thousandth period there. 

A couple more matters.  Presuming the entire barrel not after-market fabrication, which would seem a stretch entirely too far…  obliterating original chambering marks and re-stamping presumed…  Perhaps some sort of spindle and dial indicator to determine barrel concentricity (without disassembly) in the chamber stamp area.  Even a micrometer measurement at several points around the relevant circumference?  Of course, I do believe proof positive of whether re-stamped, could be achieved with non-destructive scientific methodology. Forensic labs can restore “indicia” of the best of altered serial numbers.  A notation, but moving well beyond practicality here. 

A ‘rubber meets the road’ equation mentioned above and practical. Cycling with dummy rounds!  At least practical in terms of necessary materials & effort, but not so presumably in context of an auction in progress.  I would wonder what components other than properly chambered barrel, to be necessary to insure proper ‘feeding & digestion’ of the rimmed 348 round in the Model 70 action.  Moreover, the compatibility of existing chamberings to contribute compatible components.  Way over my head here…  Perhaps more knowledgeable folks in this Forum to comment. 

Also mentioned above and often extremely relevant as “extrinsic indicia”, falling within spectrum of “seller’s reputation & integral credibility”.  That would seem to me to go a long way under the circumstances of best available substitute to bidder ‘hands-on’  inspection. “Competent & Trustworthy” reputation.  

Another dimension here where the Internet has changed the world!  Online auctions.  Conjuring some several decades ago as about the height of my eclectic gun collecting acquisitions.  Best available library, and leaching off all the experienced collectors I could encounter for their experience & insights! Such, typically at gun shows.  Many kind folks as themselves “collectors” rather than simply “sellers”.  Garnering some of my best, practical information.  My interests, such as Winchester, Smith & Wesson, Colts, Oberndorf Mausers…  I believe to a person, all those collectors of old would have then postulated the ridiculous idea of such Internet auctions as we see commonly today.  Not for me. Never a hunter, the personal ‘stalk’, as plying gun shops & gun show aisles.  ‘Kill’, as bearing home happy new gun acquisitions!  I’m sure age related and too many happy memories, but Internet gun buying rather like artificial insemination!  Clinical at best and taking all the fun out of the result. 

I don’t expect any breakthrough authenticity revelation one way or another.  I’d be surprised if that Model 70 doesn’t command a high auction price as seeming ‘the stats’ nowadays. Also, just as I’ve here commanded a high price for anyone laboring through my blog! 🙂 

 Just a very old man’s take!                                                                                   Best & Stay Safe!                                                                                               John