Winchester M70 Super Express 458WM|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

Hi phil! Concerning the Model 70, there does now appear authoritative serial to production year listing data from 1936 into the early nineties as promulgated by Winchester. Such in PDF format, presumably the source you noted! Winchester went through a tough period concerning manufacturing design & quality in mid sixties with bad ‘rep’ resulting. If not aware, you should know that your rifle was well over a decade into the restored quality era. My Model 70 from early eighties in 7×57, really quite nice! I’d appreciate having a look at your referenced rifle and info concerning your impressions of quality, if convenient!

In wider discussion of Model 70 serials to production year; for info… I’ve viewed a serial listing/production year source through 1999. Never noted such accompanied with authoritative source attribution. Moreover as there, serial number listing rounded to even-thousands; supposition, extrapolation derived. I reference it occasionally as ‘best available’. Yet always against some background noise… ‘Garbage in, garbage out!’ 🙂
Best & Stay Safe!
John

Philippe, Welcome to the WINCHESTER FORUM.  Just a note of caution, Winchesters can become an addiction. I am a practicing addict and just wanted you to be aware.  You don’t have to be crazy to be a collector, but it helps.   Roger B. 

Just getting back here a bit late! Nice looking era rifle phil! Apparently “safe queen” by decree! Some of by yet great field guns, decades ago “safe queens” by ammo availability/costs!

My above reference SN/date info into 1992, the same as your source. Apparently quite true that file info remaining “in the wild” 🙂 so to speak, likely gone. However, my bet that Federal Law requires manufacturer flie retention, holding the same information we so often desire and more. As a firearm manufacturer out of business, almost surely to forward any hard copy and/or electronic records to ATF. They presumably hold such files. A narrowly constructed FOIA (Freedom of Informaiton Act) request by a credible organizaton cast as for “historic research/reference purposes”, might pry such loose. Such as individual request, almost surely classified as “curiousity”, to be blown off. “Form letter” denial.
Interesting about your naton laws phil! Here, even in California to my knowledge, protected species excepted, squirrel OK prey to your 458 Win!
My take
Best & Stay Safe!

Well Phil… I’m an elephant fan and difficult for me to protest protecting them.
That said, sadly if like gun controls here in the States, most often simply controlling/restricting/guns as controlling honest folks. Such as ‘other’ category go on about their unlawful activities largely unaffected!

Quick aside. Wasn’t “Camp de Gaulle” in Libreville? Many years ago with a French girlfriend wrapping her Engineering Doctorate at U. Grenoble. Her brother in French Army formerly stationed at CdG. Speaking of Gabon as beautiful. Perhaps also about very good football team???
Best & Stay Safe!
John