Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Standard Rifle, Catalog No. G7009C
Serial Number: 14064
Year of Manufacture: 1938 (Third year of production)
Caliber: .300 H&H Magnum
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 26” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed into a hooded, textured, ramped base fixed to 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. Only the receiver has been drilled, tapped, and filled, not the top bridge.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand checkered walnut with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, sling swivels at the front and rear, and a checkered steel buttplate. The checkering is sharp. The wood shows a few minor scuffs, small scrapes, and light scratches. There’s a tiny 1/4” hairline crack behind the top tang. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. This stock rates in about Fine to 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. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The metal shows a few light nicks and scratch marks. The barrel shows a couple of small spots of 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 is a Pre-War Winchester Model 70 Standard Rifle chambered in .300 Magnum, and it was made in 1938, the third year of production for the Model 70. The .300 H&H Magnum is a fine African plains game cartridge, and suitable for all but the most dangerous big game and pachyderms. The cartridge offers superior ballistics to the .30-06 for long range, and the .300 H&H is almost as versatile with all bullet weights and types, especially if well-developed handloads are used. This example is in Excellent condition, showing light use. We bet even Hemingway would’ve been proud to have this Model 70 on his African safari, or in his gun rack at home. While this would still make a great hunting rifle, this Pre-War Winchester Model 70 would be an even better addition to a Winchester collection.
RIFLE