Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Interesting pre 64 70

Correct regardless of the truth of the matter.

Cody Museum?

SN 412324 if anyone wants to take the time...

Polishing room records (ie. the date a receiver was serialized) exist for a certain serial # range of early pre64 M70's. There are no records indicating caliber or configuration for any other pre64 M70's with the exception of a few Special Order Guns for which records exist and provenance can be documented.

Just found that out; looks like sn 49135-54805 is the range.

Fake

Could it have a barrel from a post 64 rifle on it?

I couldn't reply when this was fresh. I sometimes have serious compatibility issues with 24 hr CF.

Somebody bought all of the leftover parts and machinery in New Haven. The roll stamps etc were also in that inventory.
That is where some of these fakes are coming from.

This gun was a low quality fake. The markings were definitely engraved, not roll stamped. Also the improper proof mark.

I knew a guy, RIP, who would machine inserts and reclaim Improved or Rechambered chambers. This was done years ago; long before CNC machinery was affordable or even existed.

CNC machinery is a boon to forgers in all areas, not just guns.

For gosh sakes it's a BACO Special Run.

There are a host of thieves out there creating fake "rare" caliber barrels for the model 70, or even just mixing and matching genuine Winchester parts to create a rare configuration of gun (e.g. taking a .30-06 super grade stock and sticking a .257 Roberts action into it, making a .257 SG rifle). These people gut the collector market, forcing true collectors to shy away from any gun without a fully-documented provenance. It's a pity, especially when you consider all the work these counterfeiters go through for a relatively small amount of profit.

This particular fake is so bad, it really is more of a novelty item than a fraud. The badly engraved barrel stamp is so poorly done it is not going to fool even a casual collector. I guess there were people bidding on it, so it seems it was working to fool somebody, but I'd hesitate to put this rifle into the league where the true counterfeiters are playing ball. In some cases, these guys are making rifles so closely matched to the original factory guns that they are nearly impossible to distinguish from the real thing.

Justin

Nice to have you aboard Justin. Feel free to share your experience and wisdom on the fine subject of the all mighty pre 64 model 70. I started a thread, "let's see your Winchester model 70's", you might be interested in posting some of your nice builds on. That or start a new thread, explaining who you are and what you do. The last email you sent about the difference between the pre 64 receivers was good info. Keep them coming...