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Pre-64 Winchester 70 with a single cross bolt?

akigk
I own a Winchester Model 70 from 1954 (ser.# 321xxx). It is in standard 30-06 gov. and as far as I can see all original. Checkering is hand cut and stock/checkering configuration consistent with the pre-64 guns. Butt plate is metal (alum?) and the grip has a metal cap like on the Super Grade guns yet the rest of the gun is just a standard grade as far as I can see. It has one interesting feature - a single reinforcing cross bolt just behind the magazine well. It also is considerably more accurate with heavier bullets - 180gr and more. A friend told me that all this made this gun quite unique. Is it really as rare as I was told? Where can I obtain factory record?

I will send an image to an e-mail address if requested...

Thanks,

Greg
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • Herschel
    Greg, I have looked in Rules book on the model 70's and the only ones pictured with a crossbolt are the Africans (.458 Win cal) and the post '64 guns. If your rifle is a standard it should have a steel buttplate. The featherweight had an aluminum buttplate in the early 1950's. The book has one special order rifle shown with a straight stock and single crossbolt as you describe. Email me the photos and I will see if I can find a similar one in the book. hsgarner@tds.net
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  • nononsense
    akigk,

    Welcome to the Gunbroker Forums!

    There is a large number of folks who would be interested in seeing the photographs of your rifle. To save you the trouble of e-mailing it to all of us, you can use the link below for instructions on how to post photographs on the forums:

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294

    If you have questions, e-mail me or post here and we'll get you going.

    Best.
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  • GuvamintCheese
    quote:Originally posted by akigk
    I own a Winchester Model 70 from 1954 (ser.# 321xxx). It is in standard 30-06 gov. and as far as I can see all original. Checkering is hand cut and stock/checkering configuration consistent with the pre-64 guns. Butt plate is metal (alum?) and the grip has a metal cap like on the Super Grade guns yet the rest of the gun is just a standard grade as far as I can see. It has one interesting feature - a single reinforcing cross bolt just behind the magazine well. It also is considerably more accurate with heavier bullets - 180gr and more. A friend told me that all this made this gun quite unique. Is it really as rare as I was told? Where can I obtain factory record?

    I will send an image to an e-mail address if requested...

    Thanks,

    Greg

    Need to see it, does the checkering wrap under the gun? Is there a black fore end? Are the swivels inletted? There are no factory records on the model 70's. Get a pic of the front sight too.
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  • akigk
    Thank you all for the interest in my question.

    To answer some of the comments:

    - butt plate is steel
    - there is no dark (ebony?) cap at the front of the stock
    - Swivels re not recessed - as I said the only item from the Super Grade menu is the cap at the grip.

    Attached are the picks:

    http://usera.ImageCave.com/akigk/winchester_70/IMG_1177.JPG

    http://usera.ImageCave.com/akigk/winchester_70/IMG_1178.JPG

    I hope the links work...

    Greg
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  • GuvamintCheese
    Sorry that crossbolt and grip cap are aftermarket. The finish on the wood is also not original. This will detract from the value of this gun since it is now considered "customized", but at least they did'nt cut the stock off. Shoot it and enjoy it.
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  • CapnMidnight
    I have to agree with cartod, one explanation could be repair of a cracked stock. That would explain the crossbolt and the stock refinish. As has been said, shoot it and enjoy it.
    W.D.
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  • stevecrea
    I am no expert on Pre-64 Model 70s, but my grandfather had a very nice early standard in 30-06 and I do not believe that it had the high comb and cheekpiece that yours appears to have, but I could be wrong.

    Is it possible that the entire stock is aftermarket or custom?

    I also do not remember that the bolt was hollowed out, but again, it has been a long time.
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  • GuvamintCheese
    quote:Originally posted by stevecrea
    I am no expert on Pre-64 Model 70s, but my grandfather had a very nice early standard in 30-06 and I do not believe that it had the high comb and cheekpiece that yours appears to have, but I could be wrong.

    Is it possible that the entire stock is aftermarket or custom?I also do not remember that the bolt was hollowed out, but again, it has been a long time.
    High comb was standard factory for that year, also in the later generation guns and featherweights, that is a factory stock. You grandfathers gun was an older model 70.
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