Log In
August 21, 2025
Offline
Hello all!
I am at a bit of an impasse on IDing a new-to-me purchased pre64 Model 70. Photos are provided in the link at the bottom of the post. I have searched high and low in message boards, google, reverse image searching, and even within ‘The Rifleman’s Rifle. Winchester’s Model 70’ book and have not had any luck determining what I have. From what I can tell and have found in my research, it is most likely a 1953 Model 70 in either target or national match configuration (I don’t think it is the infamous ‘Sniper Match’ variant that Roger Rule refers to in his book due to the year).
I purchased the rifle from a collector at an estate sale. Unfortunately, the rifle was unidentified by the auction house and the information on the model was lost when the previous owner passed.
There are 3 apparent stamps on the rifle: the Winchester trademark on the receiver, s#, and ‘30 06′ on the barrel. The serial number is 24x,xxx which from my research puts it into a 1953 production year. The stock isn’t the standard checkered design and it appears to be marksmen/target stock. Also from what I have read, it seems that these rifles did not come with sights and the sights could be purchased separately (this would explain the missing sights). The receiver and bolt s# match (with the bolt stenciling being very faint). However there are some discrepancies which muddy the waters for IDing it.
The barrel is 26.5” (from what I have found the bull variant came as 28” and target/NM come in 24″) and from other examples I have seen the barrel is stamped with the specific model and ‘30 gov’t 06’ or ’30-06 sprg’. There appears to be stripper clip cuts in the receiver and the mysterious barrel is drilled/tapped similar to an NM rifle. The buttplate is also odd as it appears like a non-OEM add
Is there anyway to determine if this rifle was originally configured as a bull, target, or NM (or other variant I may have missed)? Is the rifle most likely rebarrelled? What would the expected value of a rifle like mine be (I ask because I want to restore the rifle to the original configuration and will use the expected value as my budget ceiling)?
I appreciate any help and all the assistance thanks!
Please let me know if you are unable to access the album–url link is directly below.
[Image Can Not Be Found]
August 8, 2024
Offline
You have a Target rifle that has a non-factory barrel. Also butt plate is not original. Perhaps, a great shooter.
November 7, 2015
Online
It’s not unreasonable to expect to find a replacement barrel on a rifle built for competition. After several thousand rounds (or less) it would begin to cost a top competitor a few points in a match where every point could count. Nice rifle.
Mike
June 1, 2023
Online
That rifle did not begin its life as a Target rifle. The barrel is not from Winchester. The clip slot cut has also been done after the fact, which close scrutiny makes plain. The swivels, both front and rear, are not correct for a pre-64 Marksman stock. Bottom line: someone wanted a target rifle so he built one by taking a pre-64 Model 70 action and re-barreling and re-stocking it. As such it has no real collector value beyond the value of the action and bolt, and perhaps something for the stock.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s what I see.
BRP
August 27, 2014
Offline
Blue Ridge Parson said
That rifle did not begin its life as a Target rifle. The barrel is not from Winchester. The clip slot cut has also been done after the fact, which close scrutiny makes plain. The swivels, both front and rear, are not correct for a pre-64 Marksman stock. Bottom line: someone wanted a target rifle so he built one by taking a pre-64 Model 70 action and re-barreling and re-stocking it. As such it has no real collector value beyond the value of the action and bolt, and perhaps something for the stock.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s what I see.
BRP
Good eye on the clip slot
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
June 1, 2023
Online
It occurred to me later that it could originally have been a Target rifle in a caliber other than 30-06 (220 Swift, 243, etc…) and those rifles would not have been milled for the clip slot. But as a 30-06, it’s just not right.
BRP
1 Guest(s)
