I have a model 70 #543XX range that I am a little confused about. It is chambered in 270. Some data says it was manufactured in 1946. Then I read that the transition models were somewhat similar. It does have stripper clip slots. It also has the recessd rear bridge, however, it is drilled with 4 holes in a star pattern. The really confusing thing is the safety, it is 3 positon but retains the bolt, firing pin shroud of the pre war. The bolt is serialed to the rifle. The barrel looks way better than the rest of the gun, bottom metal very faded. There was some talk that the Marines bought a lot of 70's after the war and it sounded like this serial # could've been one of them. I can't find anything specific though. I'm not really worried about the value as much as the history as I will be keeping for heirloom. Can anyone help?
Sizmic
I believe that SN 54,914 was produced on January 24, 1946. Winchester stopped recording SN's during the war and stopped at SN 52,548 in November 1942, and didn't resume until 1946.
The holes most likely were drilled by someone other than the factory, and the safety could have been changed as well. The barrel would be stamped on the underside as to the year it was made. That would give you an indication if the rifle had been re-barreled. Is the front sight integral to the barrel?
