The two broad areas of problems nowadays concerning the pricey "rarities", real & perceived. Intrinsic, the gun itself as amply noted in this Thread. The external one, the often demonstrated willingness of buyers to acquire guns on the flimsiest of supporting evidence. Uncommon to rare big bucks 'pre' series Model 70 rifles sold nowadays, typically flowery written assertions, a few pix... and a prayer!
The inverse of "rarity as desirable"; rarity as increased odds of it being fake worthy! Caveat emptor, similar multiple!
Then too, what is "fake". At what point is a pre Win 70 "non-original"? Technically for instance, such as stock swap from like sub genre Model pre 70 rifles, 'drop in' achievable. Donor: Plain Jane rifle, common chamberings, standard model stock. Recipient: same Standard Model rifle, rare chambering for instance with (ugh) aftermarket pad. Swap alert! Potential screwdriver, instant "return to original"! Is it really? Of course not. Can even an expert tell, condition/era factors equal, typically not. Unethical, yes. Lucrative, you bet! Pinging on 'profit motive' factor as swap, 'no brainer'. The same thing with barrels, receivers, and most all components. Tech term, parts "fungible", aka swapable. As Winchester built these rifle postwar, ever increasing pressure for "fungible", less hand intensive labor generic 'fitment'. Experts, understand exactly what's swappable and those 'less ethical' swap the heck out of our Pre '64 genre Model 70 rifles!
As the 'tree falling in the forest with no one to 'hear'... So the stock deftly swapped by 'drop in', were no one able to discern... Another context, of the Super Grade genre, the are likely more factually non-factory original particularly in such as the prewar genre of non-bridge D&T, than originals! There, an "S" stamp under original barrels, more non-"S" stamped SG rifles today, than not! The rule, where there's high value, there's a faker!
I hope not too boring, this dissertation!
My take!
Best & Stay safe!
John
Last edited by iskra; 01/21/21.
