Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Winchester model 70 super grade question

I’ve Been reading things on here for years and really enjoy it! Finally joined today to ask about a rifle I recently picked up.

It’s a post 64 model 70 super grade, says “super grade” on the barrel address and of course on the floor plate. It’s controlled round feed and has the red recoil pad that I always connect to mid/late 80s and early 90s model 70s. What’s throwing me off is it also seems to be configured as a safari model, front sling swivel is on the barrel and has open sights with 2 flip ups on the rear sight for yardage. No black Forend tip and it’s chambered in 300 win mag. I’ve found plenty of safari grades similar but so far none that are also super grade’s from those years and also no safari’s in 300 win mag. Winchester has no records of it. I bought it well worth the money in my opinion but would just like to know more about it. if I have anything special or just something very un desirable and that’s why I can’t find another like it. Thank you!

Boy I got nothing on that one. Sounds interesting. I'd love to see a picture or two of it. Welcome to the forum!

SN somewhere between G15xxx and G40xxx?

Yes, G16xxx

If I can figure out how I’ll get some on here. Thanks!

It was definitely an option from the custom shop to have those sights. I will look at my price list when I get home and see if it was also listed as an option for that first year classic supergrade.

Custom Shop proof mark?

One or two piece bottom metal?

I have a 30-06 that sounds similar. Two piece, sights, Custom Shop proof mark, Super grade rollmark, but a four digit serial.

Shouldn’t with that serial number.

What does a custom shop proof mark look like? And where do I find it?

I can’t seem to get the picture posting thing figured out.

2nd stamp on the screen right.



postimage.org for pics.

Yes, that <5 digit sn is why yours is - and his won’t be - a CS gun.

Sounds like a nice one - do you have the CS letter?

No letter with mine, the guy I bought it from didn't know what he had and I wasn't going to ask too many questions Think I paid $700.

I was thinking I had seen CS guns with GXXXXX serial numbers, but if it has a two piece bottom and no "ebony" forearm tip it sounds like an early gun anyways.

Yeah, I wouldn’t have either!

I have seen custom shop guns that were seven digit, but I’ve never been able to pin down exactly when they transitioned from the four (or less) digit to that. Perhaps when they made 9,999 custom shop guns?

If it was a custom shop model, I think jeweling might be on the follower and there will be a second stamping just ahead of the receiver and on top of the barrel shank.. It'll be an oval with a "CS" inside.

I checked, no custom shop markings.

Well, I don't know what it is either, but it sure seems like an interesting and useful rifle!

Regards, Guy

I checked as well. Not listed as an option anywhere in the ‘92 price list I have.

Is it possible someone added the sights and band? Is the sling stud hole still present in the forend?

The sights and band sure appear to be factory, if they are not someone did a beyond outstanding job of naming them look correct. And there is definitely no evidence of the sling stud ever being in the stock.

Another thing I’ve noticed is there is a gold colored inlay in the super grade letters on the floor plate, don’t know if that means anything, I’ve seen that added by individuals on colt single actions in the past so I assume it could be on this as well. I’ve honestly never handled a super grade from that time, I have a couple but they are both the recent maple production. I would post some pictures but my internet connection isn’t great here and I haven’t been able to figure it out yet. Really wanting to get something figured out on this if o can because I’m thinking about selling it. I have 2 other 300 win mags I favor over this one and where and the way I hunt I really don’t need another, thinking this could fund another gun purchase, I just don’t want to let go of something special too cheap or at all if I found out something interesting about it.

Pictures would sure help.

Is the rear stud round or supergrade style?

Is the comb flat or MC style?
Wondering if someone put a super express stock on it.

The gold lettering is not factory, so it’s definitely had some work done.

Rear stud is supergrade style, comb is MC style

Sounds like it was re-stocked. The stock that came on that originally had two round studs.



That picture from this nice factory original of the same year:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...rings-and-base-etc-.cfm?gun_id=102266986

1992 super express, from the Winchester catalog.

It wasn’t classic (crf) yet in 1992.

That is exactly it except mine is CRF. Thanks!

Nice looking rifle.

That’s it, thanks!

Looks like a Super Express to me. Is that what it is AK? I've seen a couple just like that, but chambered in 416

Early classic supergrade in a super express stock with well done aftermarket sights and barrel band; best I can tell bsa.

I've got a pre-64 Super Grade in the infamous .270 Winchester.

Looks like a Wisner rear sight like my 416 wears. That's a Wisner front as well.

Very Nice!

I have one that is G21xxx. It says supergrade on the barrel and has a really nice stock but doesn't say supergrade on the bottom metal. These were made very early in the Model 70 CLASSIC model. I suspect they made and sold what they had parts for without cataloging every different thing they made.

I have a SG made in South Carolina after FN took over. If memory serves it was manufactured in 2009. Has "super grade " stamped on the barrel but not on the floor plate. I've seen several others stamped the same.

What was the first year of production of Super grade M70?
Thanks

If you are asking about the classic, 1990 was the first year catalogued.

No, but thanks.

1936.

In 1934 John Olin authorized the company to upgrade some of the products and the Model 54 Super Grade Rifle was introduced. The M54 SG was in production 1934 - 1936.