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Hello,
I picked this up recently as a project based on some bad auction pictures and now that I have it in hand I think its rather nice, kind of a window back into the golden era of hunting…like it was set up when purchased and then left that way for the next 75 years.
Anyways, I don’t think its anything particularly special being its very common 30-06 caliber, added recoil pad, 22G rear sight that’s been (competently) machined down to fit the scope, missing front sight hood, and the worn finish on the stock.
The glass is trashed as well, but that’s easily fixable.
with the stock removed, the barrel is stamped “1906” and “48”
As a package it does speak to me.
I think its just outside the transitional serial number range, and according to my research, a typical type III.
Anything I’m missing? Or anything that’s missing that I’m missing?
No, You have what I believe is the best hunting rifle in the World. Put a 2-7 Leupold on it . That way you can use a lower ring size. That will help with the Lowe comb stock for a better cheek weld. Very nice rifle!
November 5, 2014
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Hi safestuffer-
That is an attractive Model 70. You are correct that it has a type III-1 action made in 1948. It’s an early one. The first oval tang (type III) receivers turn up around S/N 88,000, so it’s the first variation of oval tang (type III-1), characterized by the notch in the bolt release lever, solid bolt knob, and flat right side on the bolt sleeve.
You probably know that “1906” was what Winchester used under the barrel to denote 30-06 chambering and the at “48” is the date of barrel manufacture.
I think that is, as you say, a milled down Win 22G rear sight (based on the shape of the sheet metal slide). Winchester did offer a “flat top” version of the 22G sight in the catalog from 1941-47 as an option that would be supplied on order, but I think it used a different slide. One was supposed to add an “F” to the end of the catalog symbol when ordering, i.e. G7004C for the 30 GOV’T’06 standard rifle with regular 22G and G7004CF for the flat top sight. Maybe I’m wrong and the rifle was ordered from the factory with that sight (???)…
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
November 7, 2015
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I’m no M70 collector so I’d update the rings, glass and recoil pad and take it hunting! The bases will work fine with Burris Z-rings, those Weaver rings have driven me to drink on occasion. I suspect some scopes may interfere with the rear sight so it would get stashed away in a carefully marked bag and a sight blank in its place. I like a 40mm or thereabouts objective for low-light hunting so may need medium rings. You have my ideal hunting rifle with the clean, classic M70 look. Enjoy!
Mike
TXGunNut said
I’m no M70 collector so I’d update the rings, glass and recoil pad and take it hunting! The bases will work fine with Burris Z-rings, those Weaver rings have driven me to drink on occasion. I suspect some scopes may interfere with the rear sight so it would get stashed away in a carefully marked bag and a sight blank in its place. I like a 40mm or thereabouts objective for low-light hunting so may need medium rings.
Superior optically, but personally I dislike “new scopes” on old rifles; I’m willing to give up some degree of optical performance to spare myself the extreme unpleasantness of having to look at an aluminum scope tube on my vintage rifle; and I practice what I preach.
The eyepiece lens appears to have separated; if so, it could be reglued, but there are so many good steel-tube K-model scopes on ebay, I doubt it would be worth the trouble; a shame, as scope appears to be in mint cond otherwise. I just mounted a K-4 on a 52 using Weaver rings (came with scope) on an EGW rail; it did not drive me to drink–I got there all by myself.
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