Question on Value - Pre64 Winchester
Hey guys.
Newbie here. I have my father's rifle which I have no use for that I'm thinking about getting rid of, and I was wondering how much I should expect to get for it. It is a 1948 Winchester Model 70 in .270 Caliber. Here are some photos. I'm pretty sure it's all original, and has been test-fired recently, but hasn't had a full box of shells through it in maybe 10-15 years. Here are the photos.
Any information would be more than appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Newbie here. I have my father's rifle which I have no use for that I'm thinking about getting rid of, and I was wondering how much I should expect to get for it. It is a 1948 Winchester Model 70 in .270 Caliber. Here are some photos. I'm pretty sure it's all original, and has been test-fired recently, but hasn't had a full box of shells through it in maybe 10-15 years. Here are the photos.
Any information would be more than appreciated. Thank you for your time.
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Forgot to mention, serial is 81545 0 -
Best thing to do is search the auction side of Gunbroker for pre-64 Model 70's looking only at closed auctions for what they are actually being sold for. My wag is 1K+. 0 -
mrglassatx, Welcome to the forum. That is a fine rifle that I am sure your father appreciated and enjoyed. I would not sell it but if you must it should bring $1,000 to $1,200 scope and all. The stock appears to be refinished. That will hurt the value as will the missing rear sight. If the rear holes for mounting the scope are not factory work the value may be a little less. The serial number would be helpful in determining if they are factory drilled and tapped or aftermarket work.
After seeing the serial number and researching Rules book I learned the rifle was made in 1948. I believe the rifles were drilled and tapped for scope mounts on the bridge by that time.
Another Change: After reading sandwarrier's post below in which he said the factory did not drill and tap the receiver's for scope blocks in 1948 I went back and did more research.
On pages 132 and 133 in Rule's book, The Rifleman's Rifle, he states that the type II model 70's (serial numbers 60,500 to 87,700 approx) from 1947 and 1948 were drilled and tapped on the bridge for scope mounts. The photos of the type II model 70's pictured on those pages clearly show two holes drilled and tapped in the receiver ring and two in the bridge. I think that is good enough authority to say the rifle in question has not had aftermarket holes drilled and tapped for the scope mounts. Therefore no deduction in value need to made for that suspected modification.0 -
The serial number is 81545. Does that help? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Herschel
After seeing the serial number and researching Rules book I learned the rifle was made in 1948. I believe the rifles were drilled and tapped for scope mounts on the bridge by that time.
So do you think it still falls into the $1,000 to $1,200 range?0 -
Likely. Anything that is not original will detract from collector value (such as being refinished, if it is refinished), but most pre-64 70's 80% or better will bring that as shooters. You never know for sure what a rifle will bring on any given day, depends upon who is buying, but sell it through gunbroker and you will get a lot of exposure. A dealer will offer much less, because he has to make a profit when he sells it. 0 -
mrglassatx,
The value would be around $1000 with the scope. In 1948 they didn't drill and tap them yet. I had a 1949 that was drill and tapped (and barreled in another caliber) and a local Winchester guru told me they didn't start tapping them until the 50's sometime. I find that odd because Remington started drilling and tapping all their 721/722's of the same time (1948).
Anyhow, the collector world wants original. A drill and tapped rifle that shouldn't be is a value deduction. But any true pre-'64 in the shape yours is, is worth roughly about a grand.0 -
Your rifle would be more desirerable if it wherein a different caliber. 30-06 is the most common, 270 the second most common. If it where my gun, and I was going to sell it, I'd take some of the shine off that stock. Try Birchwood Casey's Tru Oil, it's about as close as you can come to original Winchester finish. Take the shine off with steele wool. I have severial pre 64 model 70s, most are shooters, like yours. I stay away from blatenly refinished guns, the drilled and tapped issue with the serial number range of your rifle is a gray area, there is evidence pointing both ways, and I wouldn't shy away from a gun I wanted because it was drilled and taped. I have one that I got from the original owner in your serial number range that is drilled and tapped, the old man I got it from said he bought it that way, and I don't doubt him. I'd start your auction at $900.00 with no reserve, the people that want that rifle will determan what it's realy worth.
W.D.0 -
Why not take new photos without so much lighting. List it as suggested with a certain baseline price that you require. There are still many folks who love .270 which is a excellent round. Only that more popular and in my opinion lesser rounds like .243 have gained favor recently.
So get your price in honor of you Father.0 -
Refinished and drilled, I don't think it will bring that much.
CP0 -
Your Mod 70 is sometimes referred to as a "Transition" Type II. The transition was to a safety that changed the direction of switching to fire from rear-to-left(Pre-war) to rear-to-right. This was to accomodate the rising popularity of telescopic sights. The pre-war safety wasn't conducive to them at all. The rear bridge was most probably drilled at the factory as 99% of the transition rifles were for that reason. Looks like someone gave it a spritzing of varnish that was a higher gloss than standard, or it may be the lighting. Nice wood, and I would lose the scope and add a period sight as was suggested. The winchester 22-G leaf spring open sight is the least expensive and was standard for that rifle. I think you need to get an expert opinion on the refinishing question. That way the market will decide fairly during the auction. Either way, its a beauty, and I think it may be worth more than a thousand. 0 -
I think it was factory drilled also. I also think the finish on the wood has been messed with but the fact that the butt has'nt been cut helps. I think it would bring about $1200 at auction as is. 0
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