Make: Winchester
Model: Special OrderModel70, Super Grade Carbine
Serial Number: 204950
Year of Manufacture: 1951
Caliber: .35 Remington
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 20” 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 top and left side of the receiver are drilled, tapped, and filled. The left side of the receiver is mounted with a fully adjustable Lyman peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece deluxe walnut with an ebony nose cap, extra fancy checkering pattern, sling plates at the front and rear, a capped pistol grip, straight comb with cheekpiece, small silvered plate engraved with the initials “WJL” inlaid in the bottom buttstock, and a checkered steel buttplate. The checkering is sharp. The wood shows a few light scuffs and 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 no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the 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. There are some light freckles on the barrel near the muzzle. The front sling plate shows oxidation. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: This rifle includes a custom acrylic plaque that lists the rare deluxe features of this Special Order Model 70 Super Grade Carbine, as well as the fact that it was published in the “Model 70 Bible”, the reference book “The Rifleman’s Rifle” by Roger C. Rule.
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 Special Order Model 70 Super Grade Carbine was made in 1951 and is chambered in .35 Remington. Model 70s chambered in .35 Remington are very rare, with only 404 rifles made in total, making it the second scarcest caliber of the pre-64 Model 70. The Super Grades account for only 2.73% of total pre-64 Model 70 production. The Super Grade version of the Model 70 also has a more attractive grain to the wood, and features an ebony nose cap, a capped pistol grip, a cheekpiece, and better checkering than would be found on the Standard Rifles. This piece is unbelievably rare, for it isn’t just a Model 70 in .35 Rem, it’s a one of a kind Special Order Carbine (Non-Cataloged Style) with a 20” barrel, an extra fancy checkering pattern to the deluxe walnut stock, a staggered “WINCHESTER” logo engraved on the floorplate rather than the standard Super Grade markings, and a small silvered plate engraved with the initials “WJL” inlaid in the bottom buttstock. This rifle is in outstandingly Excellent condition, retaining 99% of its original, lustrous blued finish, and featuring a bright bore with sharp rifling. The included plaque extolls the virtues of this incredible piece, stating “35 REM. is the second rarest cataloged chambering of the Model 70s. It is also the rarest chambering in the Carbine style. With the addition of this being a super grade carbine which is a non-cataloged style along with all other special order features constitutes a very rare and desirable Model 70. This Model 70 has the distinction of being featured in what most collectors consider the “Model 70 Bible”, “The Rifleman’s Rifle”, authored by Model 70 authority, and collector, Roger Rule. Refer to pages 259, 260, & 270 of the “Rifleman’s Rifle” for information and photos of this Model 70.” This remarkable Model 70 could be the centerpiece of any Winchester collection.
RIFLE