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I have this M70, SN/ 12xxx; 1937. BUT it doesn’t look like any M70 I can find images of!
Any way to tell if this is a factory custom? Or did Win supply barreled actions to custom shops?
Stock wood finish & checkering looks factory quality, but that raised cheek rest doesn’t match anything I’ve seen.
Don’t know about the engraved bottom metal, either!
Front sight is Redfield, as is rear base (only). Looks like it was topped with that 2.5x Lyman Alaskan in the late 40’s or early 50’s maybe? Leupold base on that.
Not looking for appraisal, just info on what this could be!
Also: How do I add photos to this post??? 
As a Guest, you have to load your pictures on a photo hosting website, then post the URL to them here on the WACA forum.
Bert – Admin
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Here are pictures of the subject rifle. These were forwarded to me today by WACA. My response earlier was: “That is a very nice aftermarket custom model 70. It is not a special Winchester model, nor was it done on a special order basis from Winchester. Stock, Niedner style buttplate, floorplate assembly and front sight ramp are all aftermarket custom parts and appear to be nicely done. I can only speculate that the barrel has been shortened slightly since the front sight ramp currently on the rifle has been added and the original integral front sight ramp has been removed.”
Maybe someone else here can add some additional information.
Steve
seewin said
Maybe someone else here can add some additional information.Steve
Only that it’s not a “classic era” custom stocking job such as Bob Owen or any of his contemporaries might have done; looks to me like the styling of the ’50s or later.
THANK YOU! Also, thanks for adding the pics!
Barrel length is 20-1/16″ from front of receiver to crown, and while bluing is uniform on barrel & action, the crown is in the white. Guessing that it was shortened, or at least re-crowned.
I appreciate the quick response. Most older rifles around Utica, NY, are typically Savage or Remington Works, so Wins are sort of uncommon, exception being 94’s.
I just wanted to make sure this was or wasn’t some Win collector’s holy grail before going to the range with it. It’s certainly appreciated as grandfather’s custom rifle tho! Thanks again!
Still, a nice looking rifle. I sure wouldn’t be ashamed to own it. I couldn’t see where you mentioned the chambering?
hgonc2 said
.30-06
That’s what the “1906” marking on the brl means; “37” is date of production.
Clarence: I’ve no clue! Just added the pic as maybe the markings mean something to someone else.
Does anyone have further info on the bottom metal?? It is ferrous, but I’ve never seen engraving with that high of relief. I’m wondering if maybe stamped, or cast steel?? Or is engraving of that era typically that deep?
hgonc2 said
Does anyone have further info on the bottom metal?? It is ferrous, but I’ve never seen engraving with that high of relief. I’m wondering if maybe stamped, or cast steel?? Or is engraving of that era typically that deep?
No way to be sure when the engraving was done, but high relief engraving has always been popular in Europe. I’ve seen ads for engraved floor-plates & trigger-guards for certain American guns, I don’t remember where, but I suspect the work was done in Europe, where it would have been far less expensive.
Now I remember where I saw those engraving ads–pre-war Stoeger catalogs, & since Stoeger was a major importer of German & Austrian guns, maybe the parts were sent to Europe to have the work done; though Stoeger’s at the time had a complete custom gunsmithing operation in NYC.
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