Winchester Model 70

Made: Two million. Winchester Repeating Arms/Olin; New Haven CT, 1936-1980; US Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, 1981-1987; US Repeating Arms Company Inc. (FNH/ Browning), New Haven, 1990-2006; Columbia, SC 2008-2012; FNH/Browning, Portugal 2013-present Models: 46+ chamberings from .22 Hornet to .470 Capstick; several actions; 19-28” barrels; various stocks, coatings, finishes and grades; military, left-handed, anniversary and commemorative versions. Variants: Model 670, 770, 70A, XTR, and Cooey Model 71 & 710 Original Price: 1937, Standard $59.75 US Current Value: Used: pre-64 $900-$1,700+; post-64-1992 $900; “Classic” $1,700+; new $1,700-$2,500+ Winchester branded its Model 70 bolt-action as “the rifleman’s rifle” in 1952. Despite competitive pressures, design and production challenges, bankruptcies, and ownership changes over 90 years, this iconic rifle prevails. Known for its lever actions, Winchester made two bolt-action military rifles before the First World War. During the war, they also produced Enfield Pattern 14s and Model 1917 Enfields. They didn’t design their own bolt-action until 1922. Model 54 (1925-1936) Winchester designer Thomas Crosley Johnson paired Springfield’s M1903 coned breech with Mauser 98’s receiver, bolt, safety, extractor, and controlled round feed. He added a slender walnut stock, shotgun-style butt plate, and Schnabel forend. The resulting Model 54, chambered in Winchester’s new .270 WCF and the .30-06 Sprg, debuted in 1925. Despite its popularity, neither the rifle nor its maker survived the depression. The Olin family’s Western Cartridge Company bought Winchester Repeating Arms in 1931. Company CEO, John Olin, liked the Model 54 but wanted refinements. Edwin Pugsley tweaked Johnson’s design. Winchester made the first Model 70s in 1936 for its Jan. 1, 1937, debut. Model 70 (1936-1963) The Model 70 perfected its predecessor. Winchester lowered the bolt handle to 45 degrees and swept it back for better scope fit. An adjustable trigger was added, and it featured a hinged floorplate and gas port. Models included: standard, carbine, featherweight, super grade, super grade featherweight, super grade African, national match, target, bull gun, varmint, and Alaskan. Chambering started with the .270 and .30-06 but added 18 over time. There were no major changes from 1936 to 1963. Some collectors prefer the “fit and finish” of pre-war production. But most consider 1949 to 1963 as the Model 70’s “Golden Era”, ending with serial number 581,471. Model 70 (1964-1989) Rising labour costs and outdated production forced Winchester to create a different version in 1964. The “New Model 70” dropped the Mauser features. It had a simplified receiver,