Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Standard Rifle, Catalog No. G7003C
Serial Number: 2294
Year of Manufacture: 1937 (2nd year of production)
Caliber: .270 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 24″ Round
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 a boss at the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top of the chamber ring is drilled, tapped, and filled for mounting an optic (none included). The bridge is not drilled. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped, and filled for a receiver sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand checkered walnut with a pistol grip, straight comb, sling swivels at the front and rear, and a checkered steel buttplate. The stock has a few scattered light nicks and handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has strong finish with some thinning at the toe and well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in Fine to Excellent condition as restored.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Professionally Restored. The bolt is serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion, but there is some stubborn copper fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its professionally restored metal finish. The balance is mostly in minor operational wear. The left-rear of the receiver has been over-polished, the bolt catch spring is visible through the receiver. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good Plus condition as restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the top-rear of the bolt. The safety has three positions: forward is Fire, all the way to the rear locks both the bolt and trigger, in the middle the trigger is locked, but the bolt can be operated. 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 Pre-War Winchester Model 70 Standard Rifle was made in 1937, just the second year of production, and is chambered in .270 WCF. .270 Winchester is a suitable cartridge for hunting deer-sized game at open ranges, making it ideal for plains game and mountain hunting. This rifle features a 24” barrel, 98% of its professionally restored blued finish, a beautifully restored one-piece hand checkered walnut stock, good mechanics, and a mostly bright bore with sharp rifling. During the restoration process, the left side of the receiver was over-polished, and now the bolt catch spring remains visible through the receiver. That said, as restored, this is still a fine example of a very early production Winchester Model 70.
RIFLE