Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Louis Luttrell said
Dan-Yes… You are correct.
Most modern “slings” for hunting rifles are no more than “carry straps” (as Winchester would have called them back in the day). Especially those that are not adjustable for length once on the gun.
If you are not familiar with that complicated contraption called the M1907 or “US Army” sling, this YouTube video does a decent job of explaining how to install and use it. The video is a little long/boring and has too many cutaways to advertising, but it gives a pretty good idea.
Any carry strap can be used as a “hasty sling” (as defined in the video) to aid shooting IF it’s the right length. The Whelen (or N.R.A. Improved) sling Winchester sold in the 1930s and 40s can’t be used as a “loop sling” like the M1907, but it is readily adjustable for length and can easily be used in hasty sling mode once set to the correct length to fit the shooter.
Who knew???
Lou
that is great, I will watch it for sure – thank you
Dan
November 5, 2014
Offline
Hi Don and Bo-
I’m sure you know that the M70 pictured in Don’s 1962-63 catalog photos is the famous “JFK” rifle that currently resides in the CFM. It could be described as a “Super Grade Featherweight-Westerner” (something never cataloged for public sale). Hence it’s a 264 WIN MAGNUM Featherweight with vent recoil pad, only with select walnut, sightless barrel, no SG fore end tip, Style B carving, and engraving/gold inlays by John Kusmit.
One-of-a kind… And fit with a Winchester “carry strap”…
The story, for anyone who doesn’t know it, is that this rifle is S/N 500,000… It was reportedly built as a presentation piece intended for JFK (a decorated WWII Navy Veteran and NRA member), but it was never presented b/c of the events of November 1963… It stayed in the factory collection and went to CFM, where it is currently on display… One of the most elaborately embellished M70s ever built…
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Very cool tidbit of information and piece of history Lou. That is one very special model 70 and literally priceless. Sad JFK never got to lay hands on it. Glad it’s on display for all of us to see and admire rather than being tied up in a private collection.
Don
deerhunter, Rule states in his book that the vent pad started to be issued in 1959. I myself find this to be a little bit later. Perhaps some time in 1961. It is very rare to find a .375 H&H Mag. with a vent pad. All .264 Win. Mag. Feather weights, and .300 Win. Mag. Westerner/Alaskans will have the vent pad. Just make sure that the right vent pad is on the rifle. I have seen a lot of them over the years with the wrong vent pad attached. As Louis pointed out the picture in the 1963 catalog is the famous JFK rifle that has been admired by Model 70 Collectors since it was pictured in that catalog. I agree with you that it is a-shame that JFK never received it.
November 5, 2014
Offline
Hi Don-
I agree with Bob on the timing of the ventilated Winchester pads on M70s. The late introductions with factory pads, i.e. the Featherweight-Westerner 264 WIN MAGNUM (mostly 1962 S/Ns) and standard Westerner-Alaskan 300 WIN MAGNUM (mostly 1963 S/N), all have the ventilated pads.
Based on the survey, the changeover for the other guns with factory pads, i.e. Alaskan 338 WIN MAGNUM and Standard/Alaskan 375 H&H MAGNUM, begins around S/N 500,000 (early 1961). However IMHO the vent pads never completely replaced the solid red pads, at least not before 1962-63. I attribute this to the fact that the 338 WIN MAGNUM and 375 H&H MAGNUM stocks were unique to those chamberings, i.e. they couldn’t be used up building other M70 styles. They must have had a healthy inventory of stocks with solid red pads, b/c it doesn’t look like they ever completely used up the old ones even after they made the change to vent pads on newly manufactured stocks…
Here are two Alaskans, one (1960; S/N 493891) with hand checkering and solid pad, and a later one (1961; S/N 517859) with machine checkering and vent pad.
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Bo Rich said
deerhunter, Rule states in his book that the vent pad started to be issued in 1959. I myself find this to be a little bit later. Perhaps some time in 1961. It is very rare to find a .375 H&H Mag. with a vent pad. All .264 Win. Mag. Feather weights, and .300 Win. Mag. Westerner/Alaskans will have the vent pad. Just make sure that the right vent pad is on the rifle. I have seen a lot of them over the years with the wrong vent pad attached. As Louis pointed out the picture in the 1963 catalog is the famous JFK rifle that has been admired by Model 70 Collectors since it was pictured in that catalog. I agree with you that it is a-shame that JFK never received it.
Thanks Bo for the info and timeline regarding the vent pads. Personally, I like the looks of the solid pads better as they are more aesthetically pleasing to the eye in my opinion. Just guessing, but I imagine the vent pads would have more recoil/shock absorption properties than the solid ones. Perhaps the reason Winchester transitioned to vented pads to improve shooter comfortabilty. From my observations, the solid pads seem to be less prone to breaking down/distorting over time as well. Even though my model 70 has the solid pad, I still store it muzzle down in the safe to prevent that from happening.
Thanks again for all the info,
Don
Don and others, When possible, I try to store rifles muzzle down anyway as it keeps oils from getting into the action or the butt stock. But it isn’t always possible. Tim
tim tomlinson said
Don and others, When possible, I try to store rifles muzzle down anyway as it keeps oils from getting into the action or the butt stock. But it isn’t always possible. Tim
Great advice Tim. Unfortunately, my 2 safes are too crammed and configured in a way that won’t accommodate muzzles down except for the outermost row nearest the door openings. When I do wipe down and lubricate my guns, I always make sure to wipe off/soak up any excess (especially the internals) before putting them back in the safe for long-term storage. Also, always store with the hammers down so no unnecessary wear on springs, etc.
Don
Don, I am in the same situation. So, “using” rifles are at the door. I wipe the bores with Birchwood Casey Sheath or Barricade. A light coat suffices and seems to stay put. We’ve had the discussion before on here and everyone has a good product. Just don’t flood the bore and think it won’t go into the action and butt stock. Wish I could store all in the muzzle down position but just isn’t possible! Tim
Louis Luttrell said
Hi Don-As has been said, Winchester never had their name stamped on “Winchester” slings during the pre-64 period. The sling that came with the African was more of a “carry strap” than it was like the M1907 or Whelen type slings that Winchester sold/cataloged for many years and that JWA has written about.
Just a little “plug”… Even for people (like me) who don’t collect Winchester rimfires, Jeff’s M69 book and upcoming M75 book are worth the money for all the accurate information he presents on “accessories” like slings!!!
Best,
Lou
Lou,
Thanks for the plug for the 75 book! You are correct with the “Winchester” marked slings as the giveaway is the (R) registered trademark symbol after the name which was not used until well after 1964 (I have the actual date somewhere in my notes). Most of the new-in-the-wrap slings I have marked “Winchester” were made in Canada and not by the same companies that supplied the previous slings and straps.
The “Carry Strap”, as beautifully photographed on your African rifle, is the correct strap for that Model 70 application.
The Model 69 book, while inclusive of a variety of Winchester slings and information, only contains information on the slings available as options for the Model 69 so it is NOT a complete reference. The same is to be said of the Model 75 book as it contains the sling information solely for the Model 75 Target and 75 Sporting (which was only a few slings).
One of these days I might compile ALL of the Winchester sling and strap information into one document but have not had the time to do that yet.
Best Regards,
Jeff
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
1 Guest(s)
