Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Post 64 Model 70 G prefix serial # ?

Just got a very nice 223 Rem push feed Model 70. Serial # is G204xxxx. From what I've found on the internet so far G prefix Model 70s supposedly ended in 1992, have six or seven serial numbers and don't start with a 2 . Anyone have any knowledge of when this rifle was mfg.?

You have found some seriously wrong information.

Rifle was made in 1994

Thank you. Source?

Wrong. Winchester added the "G" prefix in 1969 to denote the anti-bind bolt feature incorporated into that iteration of post-'63 Model 70s. The "G" prefix continued right up until the end of New Haven production in 2006. BACO then changed the serial numbering convention to that of Browning firearms; i.e. 1234ZR5678 vice G12345678.

According to Rule, the G prefix was added as a result of a government requirement.

The following is a cut and paste, don't recall the source, but it agrees with the SNs on my M70s::

The last serial numbers listed in the Winchester DOM documents goes to 1992, and that is "G2037985". As you can see, that is a 7 digit serial #. The classics started with a 5 digit serial # in 1992. 6 digits were built from about 94-99, 7 digits were 2000-2006 etc. etc.... Now the new ones (BACO) started with 35AMP....(2008 models). You'd have to check with BACO to see what they were after 2009.


When Classic's started in '91 they started at G1 or G1000 somewhere around there. They continued their progression until beginning of 2003 when something big happened. Don't know what but one of the things that changed was Classic's went from around G380000 to seven digits overnight. Just so happens that is the exact same time quality fell off the ledge.

Pre '64's/'68's didn't have a G.

Five digit Classic's went till about late '94, six digits through 2002

I don't believe that's true. (For example, the Model 94 didn't acquire an alphanumeric serial number during the same period, nor did the 101 shotgun, though the Models 88 and 100 did.) The only "government requirement" for firearm serial numbers was the '68 GCA requiring serial numbers for firearms retailed here in the U.S. (Some manufacturers previously didn't have serial numbers.) Rule also states that this didn't begin until August 25, 1971 at serial number 1,028,977 (page 319) and it's fairly apparent that that's not true either.

From page 570 of Frank de Haas'/Wayne van Zwoll's "Bolt Action Rifles, 4th Edition:"

"Model 70 rifles with a serial number above 866,000, and with the letter G preceding the serial number, are the 1968 version with the anti-bind feature, black-chrome floorplate and stainless steel follower."

This part is simple, in 1964 push feeds continued the same Model 70 serial progression that started in 1936, add "G" in front in 1969. The gun control act of 1968 required a serial number, that also included at least one letter. When Classic's came out, there had been roughly 968,000 made through 1968 with no G, so Classic's started over at 1 with a G in front. In 2003 at about G380,000 Classic's joined the original 1936/push feed serial run, which was by then over 2,500,000.

Now, putting serial numbers with years after records were no longer kept, starting in 1992, can only come with 30 years of owning, buying, selling and studying the Model 70. Source? Me.

Win 70 pre 64's ended at serial 581xxx I forget the exact number. The push feeds started at 700,000. The G came about as a result of the Gun Control Act of 1968; all manufacturers were given a letter to be included in their serial number. The Classics are a serial number nightmare. I have seen 5 digit serial number Classics, i.e. GXXXXX. The G went away with New Haven.

All true, except, Classic's are no problem. They started at G1 in 1990, ended at G380000 in 2002 and merged into the original serial run at around G2500000 in 2003.

928,000 was the number at the end of 1968, before the G was added, that were available to use again WITH the G in front.

Not true.

Not true. The Winchester 94 and 101 didn't use letters in their serial numbering conventions nor did Ruger.

There may have been a Treasury Department directive to manufacturers regarding serial numbering with alphanumeric conventions or prefixed numbers (like Ruger), but there's nothing within the '68 GCA stating this.

"§ 478.92 How must licensed manufacturers and licensed importers identify firearms, armor piercing ammunition, and large capacity ammunition feeding devices?

(a) (1) Firearms. You, as a licensed manufacturer or licensed importer of firearms, must legibly identify each firearm manufactured or imported as follows:

(i) By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame or receiver thereof an individual serial number. The serial number must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed, and must not duplicate any serial number placed by you on any other firearm. For firearms manufactured or imported on and after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of the serial number must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch and in a print size no smaller than 1⁄16 inch; and

(ii) By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame, receiver, or barrel thereof certain additional information. This information must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed. For firearms manufactured or imported on and after January 30, 2002, the engraving, casting, or stamping (impressing) of this information must be to a minimum depth of .003 inch. The additional information includes:

(A) The model, if such designation has been made;

(B) The caliber or gauge;

(C) Your name (or recognized abbreviation) and also, when applicable, the name of the foreign manufacturer;

(D) In the case of a domestically made firearm, the city and State (or recognized abbreviation thereof) where you as the manufacturer maintain your place of business; and

(E) In the case of an imported firearm, the name of the country in which it was manufactured and the city and State (or recognized abbreviation thereof) where you as the importer maintain your place of business. For additional requirements relating to imported firearms, see Customs regulations at 19 CFR part 134."

https://www.atf.gov/file/11241/download

Not the point of this thread, nor does it matter.

I could give a rats azz less about the gun control act of 1968 or exactly why Winchester added a G to their serial numbers for the Model 70 in 1969, but they did.

Apparently it mattered enough to you that you chose to reply on that point. Twice. And got butthurt.

UM.......... OK. What?

Don't get butthurt all over.

Winchester70,
Based upon your experience and knowledge do you have an estimate for the 5 and 6 digit G series classics from 1992 - 2000 as far as year of production and corresponding serial number range?
I have a pretty good idea but I bet your numbers are a lot more accurate...
Thanks!

Meanwhile, back to our conversation on your 223 REM serial number. The last recorded number was G2037000 at the end of 1992. I was originally off by a year, yours was made early 1993.

I also have a push feed 223, they are somewhat rare so hang on to that one and enjoy! Push feed or not, they are wonderful rifles.

Generally, the years posted above by southtexas are correct, 5 digit through sometime in 1994 and six digit through 2002. As far as specific numbers, I can pretty much put a year on them, but could always be off by the last months of the year before or firsts months the year after. That's the best that can be done, unfortunately.

Those are exactly what I was inquiring about - the approximate numbers by year. Would you mind sharing the range you use by year for 92 - 2002 production, understanding the caveat of last months/first months? Really appreciate it!

Thanks to all for the info. I've had several of the post 68 Winchester push feeds and crfs. All were good rifles except the last crf that I bought right before they left New Haven. The push feeds have been as accurate and dependable as their crfs or any other brand of rifle I've used. The "Sporter" model 223 I asked about here is as good a rifle for fit, finish, walnut and bluing as I've owned.