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Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Super Grade (Catalog No. G7064C)
Serial Number: 206646
Year of Manufacture: 1952
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 24”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall brass beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood that is not present. The front sight is not original to the gun. The rear sight has been removed, and a blank has been dovetailed in its place. The left-rear and top of the receiver are drilled and tapped with “STITH MOUNTS” adjustable bases holding a Bausch & Lomb scope with post reticle. The scope has light wear in the body, and the glass would benefit from a good cleaning.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand checkered walnut with an ebony nose cap, a “WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.” hard rubber capped pistol grip, straight comb with European-style cheekpiece, Super Grade sling plates inlaid at the front and rear with Super-Grade QD swivels, and a checkered steel buttplate. The stock has scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches with a few more notable dings. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has light wear around the edges and at the heel. The fit of the plate to the wood indicates that it is a replacement. Overall, the stock rates in Very Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is minor finish wear at the muzzle on each side. There are a few scattered minor marks with some light scuffing on the bottom metal. The action shows operational wear. There is handling wear on the bolt knob. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good Plus Condition.
Mechanics: The action 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, and Accessories: Included is the previously described B&L scope.
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. The Super Grade version of the Model 70 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. The Super Grades account for only 2.73% of total pre-64 Model 70 production.
This Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Rifle was made in 1952 and is in Very Good Plus Condition. It features a 24” barrel, 94% of its crisp, original blued finish, a gorgeous one-piece checkered walnut stock with an ebony nose cap, a “WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.” hard rubber capped pistol grip, straight comb with European-style cheekpiece, Super Grade sling plates inlaid at the front and rear with Super-Grade QD swivels, and a checkered steel buttplate, clear markings, strong mechanics, and a mostly bright bore with sharp rifling, some minor erosion, and some stubborn fouling. The front sight is not original to the gun, the rear sight has been removed and a blank has been dovetailed in its place, and the fit of the buttplate to the wood indicates that it is a replacement. This rifle is fitted with a Bausch & Lomb scope with post reticle on “STITH MOUNTS” adjustable bases. The scope has light wear in the body, and the glass would benefit from a good cleaning. Any GI returning home from the Second World War would’ve been thrilled to carry this Winchester Model 70 into the woods on a hunting trip. This beauty is chambered in .30-06 Springfield. With a good 150-grain bullet, .30-06 shoots flat enough for just about any deer hunting imaginable, and is just fine for the largest whitetail and mule deer. With a 180-grain bullet, it packs more than enough punch for elk, black bear, and moose. Pre-64 Model 70s garner significant collector interest, and the Super Grades even more so.