Winchester Pre-War Model 70 Safety
I just purchased a pre-war (1939) Model 70 that is in incredible shape and bone stock, except for an aftermarket safety. I'd like to return the rifle to original condition; however, have unsuccessfully searched the Internet for an original pre-war safety to install on the gun. The usual sources, e.g. Numrich, Fleabay, and the like, produced zero results. Can anyone direct me to a source for a pre-war Model 70 safety?
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Is the bolt sleeve unaltered? Generally when a post war type safety is installed the top edge of the sleeve is machined flat, If so, adding the pre-war lever will leave a gap on the right side of the sleeve. So to get it back to "bone stock" sleeve as well as the lever would need to be replaced. 0 -
However, if the non-original safety is the Tilden after-market one made for the pre-WWII model 70, use of it did not require altering the old M70 bolt sleeve, and the original Winchester safety can be put back in place. I don't have one, but may know someone who has - will check. 0 -
Close up photo's of what you have, will give us a better idea of what will be needed to return it to historic glory.
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Just keep watching Fleabay. 0 -
Sorry, I don't have capability to post pics at this time, but I pulled out my copy of The Rifleman's Rifle and compared the bolt shroud on my rifle to the pics in Rule's book. Everything appears to be untouched from factory appearance. The stamped "FIRE" and the arrow on top of the bolt are clear and sharp. There's a high ridge on the right side of the bolt shroud to the right of the safety lever, so it hasn't been ground flat. The safety appears to be Tilden aftermarket safety with a cutout to clear the raised portion of the shroud and I understand this type didn't require the bolt to be altered. So, again, everything appears to be just as it was when the rifle left New Haven in 1939, except for the safety lever. I'll keep watching Fleabay and, in the meantime, would appreciate any advise on where else I might be able to find an original. 0 -
I wouldn't be too hasty at swapping out the safety. Bert may be along for confirmation but attached are photos of three safeties: the pre-war, the transitional, and the pre-64. I understand that the transitional was "factory" and is more desirable by collectors than either of the others. So your rifle may be original with that safety. 
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My rifle, Serial Number 219XX in 300 Magnum, currently has the safety shown in the last picture above, but I believe it should have the safety shown in the next-to-last picture. I believe the device Ray B claims is a transition safety is actually an aftermarket Tilden model. According to Rule's book, the transition safety was a striated horizontal teardrop-shaped affair; it didn't have the vertical drop-down arm that has become the standard to this day. I have a transition Model 70 in 30-06 and it has the teardrop-shaped safety device I described above.
I appreciate the debate and won't rush into changing the safety, but hope someone can weigh in on which safety came on my rifle from the factory. I believe it's the one depicted in the next-to-last picture above. Thoughts?
BTW, the serial number etched on the bolt matches the number on the action, so at least the bolt sleeve is original.0 -
Fairlane66, your 1939 Model 70 should have the prewar safety shown in picture #2. The later transition safety(sometimes called "clamshell") is not the one shown in middle of 1st picture. It is a Tilden aftermarket which were commonly installed on prewar rifles for scope clearance. The transition safety was not implemented until around 1946-47.
Steve0
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