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Joined: May 2009
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Campfire Regular
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OP
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I have two pre 64 Model 70 featherweight aluminum buttplates. The one on my known to be original 1953 Model 70 is a bit thinner than the other and the sides are not bright aluminum, they are dark. It is aluminum though or so it seems. The other one is the prototypical aluminum plate with the thicker brighter sides that we see in most pictures. Did these featherweights come with buttplate variations? I know they came with bolt variations as some are not hollowed out, like on my early 53, while later bolt handles were drilled out. Any insight on buttplates appreciated,
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.- Albert Einstein
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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The Featherweight used 3 different buttplates/pads over the pre 64 span. The first was the familiar aluminum piece that appeared identical to the steel version used on the standard weights. It was anodized black and its sides were always silver since it was sanded to match the stock profile after installation. I have only seen one version of this particular buttplate. As far as I know they were all the same. The second was the flat plastic version which was also used on the standard rifles. This was started in the late 50's. The only other was the vented recoil pad, marked "Winchester" and used solely on the 264 featherweight through out its production. Steve
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Joined: May 2009
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Thanks, that is what I thought but I have an aluminum buttplate on my 1953 featherweight that definitely has black sides on it (over the aluminum). It is like it was never sanded to fit. I can see the aluminum under the black sides where it has been nicked but it looks more like the steel buttplates on regular 70's and 71's. Odd I guess, but true. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.- Albert Einstein
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,737 |
If the black sides don't appear to be the same finish and color as the anodized portion, then someone colored it with something. It may have been an attempt to hide the potentially shiny aluminum. Not a big deal and easily rectified.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: May 2009
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Campfire Regular
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I am trying to upload some pics to highlight the differences but photobucket seems to be down.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.- Albert Einstein
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Joined: May 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Let's see if this works
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.- Albert Einstein
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Joined: May 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Here is a comparison to my other plate. Pretty easy to see the difference and I am 99.99% sure the plate on the rifle is original to the rifle (the rifle is near mint) and unaltered. They are clearly different profile but both are aluminum.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.- Albert Einstein
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Joined: May 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Someone took it off and painted it.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Don't know why it would be thinner.
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Joined: May 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I don't think it is painted. The picture makes it look gray but it really isn't. The finish looks identical to that on the "traditional plate". I wonder if the fit was just so good that they left it alone without having to shape it. Oh well, there are many Winchester mysteries. Maybe a different subcontractor or something. I know there are variations in these pre 64 featherweights as Winchester had a habit of doing what they needed to do to get rifles out the door. Cwertianly true of their M1's during WW2. Thanks for the replies.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.- Albert Einstein
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As far as I know all the parts of M70's were made in house. Even screws. Are you sure it's aluminum?
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
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Something has been done to the "painted" version. I guess the Rule book comes out tonight.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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