Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Standard Rifle, Catalog No. G7002C
Serial Number: 22534
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Caliber: .250-3000 Savage
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 24” Round
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a hooded, textured, ramped base fixed to 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, the bridge is not drilled. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped, and filled for a receiver sight (none present).
Stock Configuration and 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 only a few scattered minor marks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP is 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has strong finish and well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some minor erosion in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates an 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The action shows minor operational wear and there is some light handling wear on the bolt knob. The barrel's finish has a slight plum hue. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the rifle is in Fine to Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired 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-War Winchester Model 70 Standard Rifle was made in 1939 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. This rifle is in Fine to Excellent condition, retaining about 97% of its original blued finish, a nice bore, and strong mechanics. This is a beautiful rifle in a desirable caliber that is ready to head back out in the field, or could be added to your Winchester collection.
RIFLE