All pre-64 Model 70's are in the range 1 - 581471, production ended in October 1963.
Push-feed (Post-64) Model 70's began with serial number 700000 on 1 OCT 1963.
The "G" prefix was applied in compliance with federal regulations resulting from the Gun Control Act of 1968; no duplicate firearm serial numbers could be produced by a manufacturer. Winchester added a letter prefix to the existing serial number range for each model. There is confusion about exactly when and at what number the "G" was first applied. Rule states it happened at serial number 1,028,077 on August 25, 1971. DeHass states that it happened at serial number 866,000 in 1968 concurrent with the improvements of 1968, notably the guide lug on the bolt. I believe the DeHass assertion is why some think the �G� prefix was established by WRA to denote the introduction of the guide lug. The Blue Book states serial number G941900 in 1969. I know DeHass is incorrect; I have seen (and owned one) high 870,000 series and there are reported low 900,000 series Model 70's without the "G" prefix. I also think Rule is wrong, you can find high number 900,000 series rifles with the "G" prefix (G969XXX is on GunBroker right now). Blue Book may be the closest to being correct in this case.
Two representative serial numbers (owned or documented):
870082 30-06 SPRG, mfg 1968
G987774 458 WIN MAG, mfg 1970
The original "G" prefix serial number series continued on push-feed Model 70's right up to the end of production in 2005/2006. The real confusion comes from the re-introduced pre-64 (long extractor) design beginning in the custom shop circa 1989, then with the re-introduced Super Grades in the early 1990's, and finally with the Classics around 1993. USRAC began numbering the new �pre-64� Classics beginning with number 1 again, but this time with the "G" prefix. They were able to issue from number 1 through about number 900,000 +/-, without fear of duplicate serial number, until reaching the first (circa 1969) "G" prefix serial numbers. At that time the Classic serial numbers merged into the existing series of serial numbers (push-feed, control round push-feed {CRPF}, and Classics all numbered in the same sequence).
Does that explain it? Simple, huh?!!?
Ps I posted an earlier version of this last Monday 6 JUN (it got gone in the server change over). I have gone through my notes and cleaned it up some for re-posting now.
