Pre-war rifles were rust-blued, had 20 lpi checkering and better wood finish, all as a result of more hands-on time spent on each rifle than was put forth on the post-war rifles...
Many pre-war guns succumbed to the need to D&T the rear receiver to accommodate readily available scope bases. Many also had the G&H side mount installed which Winchester would furnish but provenance supporting same not surviving.
IMO, a minty, original pre-war rifle is the pinnacle of the M70 world....
