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April 8, 2026
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can anyone suggest what an uppercase letter “G” might mean, marked on the rear of the receiver of my pre-64 model 70 serial no. 717xx?
this “G” is not added to the serial number as a prefix, it is a clear marking on the flat bottom of the rear of the receiver where the bolt is inserted, and just forward of the rear action screw cap.
I’ve failed to understand the procedure required to upload a photo of this marking into this post.
November 5, 2014
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Hi Bumppo-
I’m assuming you are looking at a single capital “G” stamped into the striker slot in the top of the tang? If so, it’s a machinist stamp. These were commonplace (but not universal) from about S/N 8000 (1937) through the mid-1950s.
They are not all “G” and have nothing to do with the G-prefix serial numbers on post-1968 rifles. Stamps include the single letters J, U, F, G, O, and the numeral 4. Does it look like these? The one on the left is a Rockwell Hardness test dot found in the same location on some pre-war receivers, mostly below s/n 5000.
Hope this helps,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
December 9, 2002
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Louis,
Once again, a very good explanation in describing you’re point. You are truly an expert, here on the WACA Forum! 
Tony
November 5, 2014
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Hi Tony-
“Expert” is not a word I’d choose… Two things about me are: 1) I’m an obsessive compulsive Geek; and, 2) I’m LAZY!!! 
By coincidence, I’m in the midst of creating a spreadsheet of the inspection stamps (receiver, bolt, barrel, and stock barrel channel) that appear on pre-64 M70s to get a sense of how they changed over time. This involves going through maybe 1000+ sets of photos I’ve saved over the years. Tedious, but it’s the last big “chore” standing between me and writing Chapter 5…
As for the lazy part, whenever I post photos on this Forum (whether of guns or parts), whenever possible I simply use pics I’ve already taken. Like the clip above from a current “work in progress” figure. I’m not trying to be arrogant, as in “look at all the cool stuff I’ve got”, just LAZY… If I’ve already photographed a gun (and I have photographed all of mine), it’s simply easier to grab one of my composites than it is to go through the archive of other people’s photos I’ve saved…
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
December 12, 2019
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Lou, your knowledge entitles you to be ‘arrogant’. Your refusal to be arrogant speaks volumes.
I don’t always post responses to these informative threads, but I follow and learn a lot from you and others. And I’m very appreciative for all you do.
Paul
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
April 8, 2026
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thank you louis luttrell for this clear and cogent reply.
August 27, 2014
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Louis Luttrell said
Hi Bumppo-
I’m assuming you are looking at a single capital “G” stamped into the striker slot in the top of the tang? If so, it’s a machinist stamp. These were commonplace (but not universal) from about S/N 8000 (1937) through the mid-1950s.
They are not all “G” and have nothing to do with the G-prefix serial numbers on post-1968 rifles. Stamps include the single letters J, U, F, G, O, and the numeral 4. Does it look like these? The one on the left is a Rockwell Hardness test dot found in the same location on some pre-war receivers, mostly below s/n 5000.Hope this helps,
Lou
Good Stuff Lou!
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
January 20, 2023
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Louis Luttrell said
Hi Tony-
“Expert” is not a word I’d choose… Two things about me are: 1) I’m an obsessive compulsive Geek; and, 2) I’m LAZY!!!
By coincidence, I’m in the midst of creating a spreadsheet of the inspection stamps (receiver, bolt, barrel, and stock barrel channel) that appear on pre-64 M70s to get a sense of how they changed over time. This involves going through maybe 1000+ sets of photos I’ve saved over the years. Tedious, but it’s the last big “chore” standing between me and writing Chapter 5…
As for the lazy part, whenever I post photos on this Forum (whether of guns or parts), whenever possible I simply use pics I’ve already taken. Like the clip above from a current “work in progress” figure. I’m not trying to be arrogant, as in “look at all the cool stuff I’ve got”, just LAZY… If I’ve already photographed a gun (and I have photographed all of mine), it’s simply easier to grab one of my composites than it is to go through the archive of other people’s photos I’ve saved…
Best,
Lou
Dare I say it? Perhaps it’s …..hormonal.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 5, 2014
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Zeb-
If you’re thinking profound male hypogonadism you’re probably right!!! For all the “T” prescribing I’ve done over the years I have never tested myself… Wouldn’t surprise me at all if it was “unmeasurable”!!!
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
January 20, 2023
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Well, based on my experience with testifying medical experts, plenty of whom were at least clinical professors of their subspecialty, none were apparently short of T. While frequently wrong, none were ever in doubt. Particularly the surgeons. This was supported by secondary evidence — how many alimony checks each wrote every month. Some counts were impressive.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
