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Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Standard Rifle, Catalog No. G7007C
Serial Number: 383436
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Caliber: .375 Holland & Holland Magnum
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Boxed Magazine and a Hinged Floorplate
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-”, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-”, and “MODEL-70 – 375 H&H MAGNUM-” in front of the rear sight and at the rear with a Winchester ovalled “WP” proof, found again on the left front of the receiver. The left side of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”. The front right of the receiver is marked with the serial number “383436”. The serial number is scribed on the bottom of the bolt.
Barrel Length: 25”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base (slotted for a hood) fixed to the front of the barrel. The hood is not present. The rear of the barrel is drilled and tapped with a factory installed Lyman 6W sight mounted to a dovetailed base. The sight is a dual-folding leaf with two “U”-notches able to present either the lower or higher notch. The top of the chamber ring, the top of the bridge, and the left rear of the receiver are drilled, tapped, and filled.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand-checkered walnut with a pistol grip, fluted “Monte Carlo” comb, sling swivels at the front and rear, and a Winchester orangish red rubber buttpad. There is a long, deep crack in the top of the wrist, and a shorter crack on the bottom of the wrist. Otherwise, there are only a few minor marks. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The buttpad shows light wear and discoloration, remaining fairly supple. There is a through bolt installed just above the front of the trigger guard. Overall, the stock is in about Fair to Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some scattered corrosion on some of the lands. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows spots of scattered, intermittent erosion throughout the receiver and barrel. The bolt knob shows handling wear and the action shows operational wear. There is thinning all around. There are some scattered minor nicks and scuffs. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fair to Good Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the right side of the receiver. Pushed forwards, the safety is OFF. If pulled back all the way, it locks both the bolt and the trigger. If pulled back half-way, it blocks only the trigger. 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 comes with an attached Hunter brown leather shoulder sling in Good Condition.
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 Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Standard Rifle was made in 1956 and is in Fair to Good Condition. It features a 25” barrel, unique to this caliber of the “Rifleman’s Rifle”, 60% of its original blued finish, a tough one-piece checkered walnut stock (there’s a long, deep crack in the top of the wrist, and a shorter crack on the bottom of the wrist) with a pistol grip, fluted “Monte Carlo” comb, and Winchester orangish red rubber buttpad, a factory installed Lyman 6W sight mounted to a dovetailed base on the rear of the barrel (also unique to the .375 H&H Model 70), clear markings, solid mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and some scattered corrosion on some of the lands. The finish shows scattered, intermittent erosion throughout. There is a through bolt installed just above the front of the trigger guard. This rifle was likely used extensively in the field, but saw more carry time than action based on the high bore condition. The .375 Holland & Holland Magnum round is one of the most powerful cartridges available in the Model 70, suitable for any game in North America, and also popular for hunting in Africa. Only 14,005 Model 70 rifles were made in .375 H&H Magnum (about 2.41% of total pre-64 production). We bet even Hemingway would’ve been proud to have this Model 70 on his African safari, or in his gun rack at home.