I recently purchased a Winchester model 70 used, classic stainless serial number G 62XXX. Would anyone know the year of manufacture. I cannot seem to find out for sure. When I drop the G prefix, it comes back as 1947, but can't seem to find this serial number with the G prefix. Any help would be appreciated.
I believe somewhere in the 70's they started using the G prefixs. bump for a good question.
According to Rule's book on the M70, pg 319:
"On August 25, 1971...the serial number sequence was given a "G" prefix. This was implemented in compliance with new Federal regulations requiring a letter-coded number as an expediant means to manufacutrer identificaiton"
I guess the Fed couldn't tell a M70 from a M700
Hi, the first Classic Stainless were made in 1994 to my knowlege,
Karl
Also, I think "push feed" model 70's (post '71) are all 6 and 7 digits with a G prefix. And I think Classic actions started at G1000 & contunied to about G300000 (est). I have never seen dates of mfg. for Classic Model 70's.
I would be interested to hear if anyone has more to add.
I have a LH SS Classic made in 97 (only year they offered left hand SS & walnut) SN G179xxx
I bought a M70 Classic SS new in 1994, SN# 451XX if it helps
I just spoke to the seller and he said that he remember buying the rifle around 1996 in a store today closed.I found this info on the 70 Classic :
http://westernrifleman.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/the-winchester-model-70-classic/
My custom shop action starts with a G
spot
The G prefix was added in 1968 when the anti bind feature, the steel bottom metal and some others changes.
btb: I have seen the 1968 answer before. do you think this is an error in Roger Rule's book? thanks
Don't know.
I have seeen the 1968 referenced in Frank DeHaas' book, Bolt action Rifles, also there's a web site, (can't recall the name) where Winchester serial # can be researched, that uses the same date.
http://www.armscollectors.com/sn/winlookup.phpyou can look your serial nember up on this page
i believe models from 1982 and up dont work here
My Mod 70 has serial number G128xxxx it was manufactured in 1975.There used to be a website that allowed you to enter your serial number and get an exact date.does anyone know if that site still exists?
rob
He's asking about a "Classic" so the G prefixed pushfeed models aren't relevant, though they are fine rifles. His rifle was manufactured in 1996 or thereabouts as has been already mentioned. I have Winchesters from the same period with similar numbers.
I think the change to "G" prefix had to do with the ATF, the Gun Control Act of 1968, for firearm tracing purposes. I believe firearm mfg's were required that firearms had serial numbers and that serial numbers be unique.
All pre-64 Model 70's are in the range 1 - 581471, production ended in October 1963.
Push-feed (Post-64) Model 70's began with serial number 700000 on 1 OCT 1963.
The "G" prefix was applied in compliance with federal regulations resulting from the Gun Control Act of 1968; no duplicate firearm serial numbers could be produced by a manufacturer. Winchester added a letter prefix to the existing serial number range for each model. There is confusion about exactly when and at what number the "G" was first applied. Rule states it happened at serial number 1,028,077 on August 25, 1971. DeHass states that it happened at serial number 866,000 in 1968 concurrent with the improvements of 1968, notably the guide lug on the bolt. I believe the DeHass assertion is why some think the �G� prefix was established by WRA to denote the introduction of the guide lug. The Blue Book states serial number G941900 in 1969. I know DeHass is incorrect; I have seen (and owned one) high 870,000 series and there are reported low 900,000 series Model 70's without the "G" prefix. I also think Rule is wrong, you can find high number 900,000 series rifles with the "G" prefix (G969XXX is on GunBroker right now). Blue Book may be the closest to being correct in this case.
Two representative serial numbers (owned or documented):
870082 30-06 SPRG, mfg 1968
G987774 458 WIN MAG, mfg 1970
The original "G" prefix serial number series continued on push-feed Model 70's right up to the end of production in 2005/2006. The real confusion comes from the re-introduced pre-64 (long extractor) design beginning in the custom shop circa 1989, then with the re-introduced Super Grades in the early 1990's, and finally with the Classics around 1993. USRAC began numbering the new �pre-64� Classics beginning with number 1 again, but this time with the "G" prefix. They were able to issue from number 1 through about number 900,000 +/-, without fear of duplicate serial number, until reaching the first (circa 1969) "G" prefix serial numbers. At that time the Classic serial numbers merged into the existing series of serial numbers (push-feed, control round push-feed {CRPF}, and Classics all numbered in the same sequence).
Does that explain it? Simple, huh?!!?
Ps I posted an earlier version of this last Monday 6 JUN (it got gone in the server change over). I have gone through my notes and cleaned it up some for re-posting now.