Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Pre war 70 22 hornet

Looking for a quick buy price on one. Looks refinished and a stock repair. Rear peep, blank added and gold bead front sight. Cloverleaf tang, small safety. Looks nice but would like an honest offer price.

Waste of time w/o photos.

Hole(s) in the bridge?

Knowing what we know........................probably can't get hurt at $500

Sounds like what they call a "transition" model. Based on your "small safety" remark. Not really pre war because it was made after the war. I'm guessing it was made from '47-1949? Stock repaired and refinished sucks and hurts value. Are you buying? I'd price it at approx. $1,000.00, but condition and originality rules the roost. The last transition model I bought was $600... More info and clarification is needed on this one. Since the norm is to not post pictures, a really defined description is required. Even a partial serial #, but you guys keep posting these vague questions. Yet, ask for an "honest" evaluation on value...

This is why I came to the 70 gurus. Rifle in question is on consignment at a local shop. Listed as pre war, Asking $1600. Hard to take pictures of a rifle on the rack. Don’t need it, but very cool and would like to have it.

13xxx serial number. I believe the metal is possibly refinished. Last digit is somewhat feint, as well as the proof? On the opposite side. Not drilled on rear bridge, nor side. Receiver has a nice matte finish, barrel is a glossy blue.

The repair on the wood stock on the right side of the cloverleaf, small piece grafted into it, pinned in place and finished to nearly match. The rest of the stock looks original.

I’d wager as it sits it looks to be in the 90% range, some basic handling marks. That is if the metal is original finish, but suspect it isn’t.

Looking to offer them 9-1100.

Now, that is better. So, the main issue is a lot of gunshops do not have a real clue on what something is worth. Sometimes that works in your favor, and other times it really works against you. Mainly because those shops think every pre 64 model 70 is worth boo koo bucks, when they are not. With your serial # given, the rifle was made in 1937. That is a second year production model 70. Pre war as you said. It really sounds like a shooter grade rifle to me though, especially if you think it's been refinished. Someone else asked if the rear bridge has been drilled and tapped. That will also reduce the collector value of the rifle. Your $900-$1,100.00 offer should be appropriate, even if it's been d/t. Check the bore really well. If you buy a "shooter", you don't want to buy one that can't be shot. Or shoot accurately.. Also, drop the floor plate and check to see that it has the original mag box with spacer and that the bolt stop is correct. The 22 Hornet had a lot of specialized parts. One being the different style extractor and what they called a cartridge pusher at the bolt face. Make sure those parts are not damaged, as they may be damn hard to find..

The .22 Hornet is a unique creature. Parts problematic and parts substitutes a hazard perhaps even as occurred some 80+ years later! Feeding/functioning issues prevalent.

'If' the metal is decent, another stock could be found as I 'believe' even with the 22H, it should be a drop-in cloverleaf tang style external fit & maybe some internal inletting fussing. Any stock up to about '47 or so genre to work. The safety may be a "Tilden" transition safety.

IF you really want the rifle as a keeper, a 'maybe' & willingness to 'fuss' with it. For speculative sale... I'd not risk the likely fuss.

Pix worth a thousand words... Ahem! Ahem! Few pix: Model 70, 1946 showing Tilden transition safety as perhaps you describing. Same prewar vintage 15K SN as yours, reflecting era-standard so-called "Flag" safety as the Hornet should have.

For info, both the rifles here are in .257 Roberts & Super Grades. Early one with Weaver K2.5 scope & Stith Mount meaning 'of-genre' as no rifle was harmed in securing of that scope mount! No extra holes)

Hope this helps!
Best!
John

Good post John. I like that transition model.

Receiver has two filled holes in left side, rear bridge is D T but not the typical way. Receiver metal is definitely refinished.

Guess I would not buy anything from a shop that would not allow me to take some photos to refer to experts.

And they’re not much for wiggling. Shooter grade gun for sure.

Some shops are like that. Just present them with the information you know and let them dwell on it for a while. If you think they may budge and you like the rifle, give them a quote with your name and phone # on it. There is a way to present information to those willing to listen, then there is a way to tell them like it is if they are not willing to listen. Then you just move on.. They can eat it, if they don't want to sell it.. That is how I see it..

Sir that is about the best explanation and tactic I’ve heard. I’ll revisit this week and see.

There’s usuallly only one chance to buy a good gun

It's only money.

That is a poor way to look at things. I've been buying nice model 70's and other rifles for a while now. One of my good buddies used to always tell me, "there will ALWAYS be another one come along, you just have to be patient". That has been one of the best pieces of advice I have been given. He is absolutely right on this. He also told me to "buy LOW and sell HIGH!!!!!!" Again, another damn good piece of advice. I don't sell a lot, but buy quite a bit. Especially recently. Some guys just don't get it, but that is on them...