Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Featherweight, Catalog No. G7060CN
Serial Number: 241146
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 22” 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 an adjustable "U"-notch flip up sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top and left side of the receiver are drilled, tapped, and filled.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with a pistol grip, fluted “Monte Carlo” comb, sling swivels at the front and rear, and a checkered black alloy buttplate. The buttplate shows a few light scratches. The checkering is sharp. The wood shows a few light handling and storage marks. 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 with Black Alloy Floorplate, Trigger Guard Assembly, & Buttplate
Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 10 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 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 Featherweight Rifle was made in 1953 and is chambered in .308 Winchester. Winchester announced the “Featherweight” version of the venerable Model 70 along with the new .308 Winchester cartridge in August 1952. The Model 70 “Featherweight” was initially advertised at 6.5 pounds, while the standard Model 70 usually weighed 7.75 to 8.0 pounds. The .308 is a great hunting cartridge, being ideal for deer, elk, and black bear. This rifle is in Excellent condition, showing little use, and with a great bore and strong mechanics. This is a beautiful example of an early Winchester Featherweight in the (at the time) brand new .308 Winchester cartridge, and with its high condition, it should be of great interest to Winchester collectors.
RIFLE