Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds PRE-64 Winchester FWT, 308, like new condition, w pics

Honest question, Mark. Given all of the information that has come out in this thread, would you have refunded a buyer who agreed to the purchase based on what you said and subsequently found out otherwise?

He clearly states that:

The phrase caveat emptor arises from the fact that buyers often have less information about the good or service they are purchasing, while the seller has more information. Defects in the good or service may be hidden from the buyer, and only known to the seller. Thus, the buyer should beware. This is called information asymmetry.

Mark clearly said a lot of things in that post. Some were accurate and others were not, so I'm asking how he would have handled the situation I described for my own future knowledge. As you said, caveat emptor.

I wouldn't buy ANY firearm sight unseen ( pix don't count. Especially crappy ones) without a three day inspection.

Mark, can't tell by the pics but it looks like a solid bolt knob, is this the case or does it have a hollow knob?

The recoil pad is a 325 Pachmayer and not well done.

Since the concensus is that the pad is not original, I am willing to negotiate downward on the price. I have not come up with a firm price yet, quite open to offers.

I may have commited a little too much to this rifle, not knowing enough about them, but am hoping to recoup at least the bulk of the investment.

Feel free to hit me with what you would consider a fair amount for this rifle. Stock aside, the metal is all in outstanding condition.

Often used as an easy out.

The floorplate appears scratched with some possible bluing wear, and the front action screw looks partially stripped.

Do screws count when describing outstanding condition? Floorplates? Didn't realize that.

After some reading BSA is spot on that stock is a 59 or newer. The recoil pad could be factory Winchester in 1959 switched to that style they were made by pachmyr and stamped Winchester. Also in 1959 Winchester changed their process for finishing stocks they appear to have a lacquer finish. BSA was spot on the checkering another indicator it was made after 1959 Winchester did not get the stock checkering machine online until mid 1960. When they did it resulted in reduction in pattern cover. So again I'm no expert but it looks like this rifle has newer pre 64 stock on it.

Many of these early FWT's had a solid knob not the later hollowed out knob.

Could be interested in the rifle but would like to know if the bolt knob is hollow, can't tell by the pictures. Also, does the magazine box have a spacer in it for short cartridges and does the action have the bolt stop for short cartridges?

Million dollar question it appears to be solid.. A sn would help.

True enough, but from what I see by the stock it should be a later rifle.

That would be nice.

Some of the very earliest Featherweights had solid knob.

A serial number would clear that up. (Along with a picture of the bolt showing electro pencilled matching serial number.)

The earlier stocks would have had the wrap over top metal (Aluminum) butt pad, not the one shown.

August '53 Featherweight Serial Number 266644

Sakoluvr,

When assessing the condition of a pre-'64 Winchester, yes, the condition of the screws and floorplate and everything else do count. In fact they even count when buying a rifle without the Model 70's reputation.

So far this one looks like a shooter grade, but even then overall condition counts.

Mark, don't it piss you off when the original owner told you all those lies about this rifle.. I would almost want to have a chat with him if I had been in your shoes.

Your description sucks, not revealing serial number range, not comparing the LOP with the other model 70 you have for sale just for information purposes as well to explain if the stock has been chopped, and posting pics that look worse than Mathew Brady's work from the Civil War..

Much could be cleared up by using fewer words and better pics.

The excuse about not knowing much about Model 70's just don't wash as you know the information to omit too well.

As Gen George Patton said, I read your book!

I was just being a smart ass.