Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Rear Bridge Photo 1946 Model 70 Standard Weight?

Any of you guys have a photo of a rear bridge from a Pre-War and a Transition rifle? I'm trying to figure out what I'm looking at on a rifle I'm considering buying.
Thanks...

Fenton, The rear bridge on the early ones were undrilled, transition guns had rear bridge drilled for scope bases but you still had the 'cloverleaf' tang.Most folks agree the transition guns were the best of both worlds, both metalwork,fit and finish along with better wood. I will research it but the wood must have been leftover 'pre-war' as I have always understood we just about wiped the black walnut wood supply out for war effort.The transition gun I have is very nice I cannot tell it is any nicer than early 50's type III action marked govt 06'. very best WinPoor

Fenton, you asked about this in your other thread. Answer remains the same dude. That rifle was not factory drilled and tapped. Pretty much end of story...

I don't have a picture, but a pre-war, non-Transition, rifle will not be drilled and tapped on the rear bridge. Additionally, the rear bridge will be slotted for use with stripper clips. The bridge will have a trough running lengthwise with longitudinal grooves at the bottom.

When the factory began drilling and tapping the rear bridge of the Model 70, they changed the entire shape of the bridge eliminating the trough and the clip slot and producing the familiar shape that has been with the Model 70 ever since.

Frankly, I would never buy a Model 70 off the internet without comprehensive pictures of the rifle. With a pre-war, non-Transition rifle there will be four holes: two in the left-side of the rear bridge for a receiver sight and two in the front bridge. On a Transition or post-war action there will be six-holes, two in the rear bridge, two in the front, and two on the side.

Perhaps new designations are needed: "Pre-64 4-hole and Pre-64 6-hole"

O45, thanks for confirming what I already told him it the other thread he started regarding this issue. I mentioned stripper clip slots etc. etc. He wants a picture so I'll go surf the net to get one I guess:

http://jamesdjulia.com/item/lot-1428-very-scarce-winchester-pre-war-model-70-carbine-36263/

10 second search..

Your google fu is strong with you

Ha ha....

Thanks for the extra help, sorry to be a pain. It's been fun learning about these model 70 differences. I can see now I should just order a copy of "The Rifleman's Rifle" so I can help myself. I stopped by to look at this gun again yesterday and noticed it has a Tilden safety lever on it. I guess that's good as I intend to put a different scope on it and hunt with it if I buy it. That scope mounting situation is actually my main concern... #1) if the base holes are spaced correctly for a modern scope base, #2) are the tapped holes the right size/pitch, #3) does anyone make a scope base that will sit on the bridges correctly. If I can't mount a modern scope on it then I wouldn't really have a use for it (as a hunter).
The shop is not quite ready to let it go yet. After they learned more about it from me, they'd like a week to confirm what I've taught them with another source which I understand considering the gun seems to be valued at a much lower amount now from the original amount of $1,300.00 that they thought it was worth.
I said I'd probably be interested in it for $600.00 and they seemed to consider that as reasonable so we'll see where that leads when I go back in.
Thanks again for all your help educating me...

We've all been in your shoes. There's so much to learn on these model 70's. I don't think I'll ever know all the ins and outs of them. My gunsmith is probably one of the most knowledgeable guys I know on the subject. If you could get the rifle in question for $600.00, you'd probably be doing pretty good. As far as the tilden safety, that was a very common upgrade to allow for scope mounting that it was done quite frequently. In one of your previous post's you said this rifle has a Kollmorgen and stith mount? That will add approx. $150.00 to the value of the package you are looking at. If you could get pics of the rifle you are looking at, we might be able to add a few more suggestions..