Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Super Grade, Catalog No. G7052C
Serial Number: 123016
Year of Manufacture: 1949
Caliber: .250-3000 Savage
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 24” Round, the barrel has been recrowned.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top and left side of the receiver are drilled, tapped, and filled.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand checkered walnut with an ebony nose cap, capped pistol grip, straight comb with cheekpiece, sling plates at the front and rear, and a checkered metal buttplate. The checkering is sharp. The wood shows a few minor scuffs and light scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. This stock rates in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some light fouling present. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates a 9.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The metal shows a couple light handling and storage marks. The sling plates show some light erosion. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The manual safety functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 70, known as the “Rifleman’s Rifle”, is one of the most iconic American sporting rifles ever made. It was introduced in 1936 as Winchester’s new and significantly improved bolt-action rifle chambered in big calibers, firing high velocity cartridges capable of taking big game, and for use in so-called big-bore target matches. The Model 70 has been prized by hunters and shooters alike for nearly 90 years, and is one of the benchmarks by which all bolt action rifles are measured. Pre-64 examples of the Winchester Model 70 are held in particularly high esteem.
This Vintage Pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Rifle was made in 1949 and is chambered in .250-3000 Savage. The .250-3000 Savage cartridge is a "quarter-bore" round that was designed by Charles Newton in 1913. The “3000” portion of the designation came from the velocity (in fps) of an 87-grain bullet, which was astonishing to hunters of the time shooting plodding cartridges, such as the .30-30 Win. and .30-40 Krag. Over the years, .250-3000 Savage established itself as a hunting cartridge with mild recoil and excellent accuracy. It’s also a scarce chambering for the Model 70, with only 2,750 such rifles made before they were discontinued in 1949, comprising a bit less than half of 1% of all pre-64 Model 70 production. The Super Grade has a more attractive grain wood with an ebony nose cap, grip cap, cheekpiece and nicer checkering than would be found on the Standard Rifles. The Super Grades account for only 2.73% of total pre-64 Model 70 production. This rifle is in Excellent condition, and features a 24” barrel, which has been recrowned, 99% of its original, lustrous blued finish, a gorgeous one-piece hand checkered walnut stock with an ebony nose cap, strong mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling. This is a rare and well maintained Model 70, and a must have for any Winchester collection.
RIFLE