Yes there is quite a difference for us model 70 snobs. Pre wars were the ultimate in quality, no short cuts. They had far better wood than guns in the 50's. Twenty line checking and a bulbous pistol grip. Transitional models are nearly as well finished but have the advantage of drilled for scope and a safety that was scope friendly. Eighteen line checkering by this time but still a bulbous grip and good wood. Buy 1949 the desirable cloverleaf tang was gone, for cost cutting reasons, and the safety we all came to admire arrived. The bulbous grip was sawn flat again for cost cutting reasons. Then in 1953 the front sight was no longer integral with the barrel but was soldered on for more cost savings. 1959 saw plastic butt plates, smaller checkering, round bolt shroud and sometimes inferior wood, all cost cutting procedures. As time went on fit and finish suffered. For me personally, 1952 was the last year I liked the model enough to buy. All gun manufactures were having difficulty in securing decent wood in the 1950's. Only Winchester sent a letter out apologizing for the poor quality and promising to improve when better supply was available.
My favorites were made after 1955: This is when the good fwt's came into play. I also love the 338 win mag and those weren't available until 1959. Based on stuvwxyz's post, he's chit out of luck if he only buys rifles built before 1952. I'm glad guys like him exist because that means there's one less guy out there buying the ones I like...
