I picked up a pre 64 model 70 fw in .270. It looks pretty original but is probably shooter grade. Has old but not original recoil pad, stock is cut, and missing original sling loops. The bolt handle is drilled and then bluing and bore are really remarkable for the age. Serial numbers matching and dates to 1960.

Here is the kicker original owner scratched a cursive symbol in the floor plate and action on the right side in two places. One barely visible and one pretty promo at. Floor plate is really prominent. Looks like it was engraved pretty crisp and clear would think it is just a weird scratch if they didn’t all match.

I paid shooter grade price so I am fine on price but it is a really nice rifle. Considering adding an aftermarket wood stock with some figure. But the floor plate and action is there anything that can be done to improve or fix the appearance other than a complete reblue?

Floor plates are easy to change. Also pictures would seem fitting in a thread like this

I am terrible at uploading pictures. This should be the whole album.

Winchester 70
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Stating the obvious, either live with it or polish it out and reblue. If you change out the hinge plate there is still the scratching on the action to be dealt with. Appears to be a nice rifle and IMO certainly worth a reblue. I am pretty certain you would cover the cost of a reblue on a resale.

So would you have to reblue the action and barrel or can you just reblue the action and keep Barrel original?? Who would be recommended to do something like this.

I will try to find a different bottom metal to correct that issue should be easy enough.

Can I put a red pachmyer on it or does it need to be replica red pad? I assume bedding it won’t hurt value anymore than stock already being cut?

Shaking head here on why some dumb fu ck would do that to a rifle like that. To answer your question, yes you can install a red pachmayr recoil pad. I'd do that before any repro pad. The repro pad does not add any value to the rifle at all. Repeat, even though some here think it does (topic for another discussion), the reproduction pad DOES NOT add value to that rifle. Yes, at this point you can glass bed it and it won't hurt the value of the rifle, but undoubtedly will help with achieving consistent accuracy. If done properly. Also, I could personally fix that rifle and no one would be the wiser.. Oops, did I say that on an open forum??

That mark looks like a brand. I have seen branded M94's that were ranch property, wonder if your M70 was ranch property at some point in time? I scratched a M70 receiver on a bolt in a tree stand once, touched up the blue and it blended in pretty well in the matte finish area. Get a Presto Gun Blue Pen and see if you can diminish it somewhat. Nice old rifle to hunt with at any rate.

Quite possibly a brand. I checked the brand registry for the surrounding counties and didn’t find a match. Don’t feel like searching all the counties in texas. Don’t have that kind of time. Ha.

I will try to get a replacement hinge for the floor plate, get it bedded and new pad. It really is a beautiful rifle. The barrel blue isperfect and the bore looks amazing. I got $650 in it. Maybe put a gloss M8 in S&k mounts

I’d just fit a red pad to the gun. The bluing does not bother me and to my eye it looks far better now than it will when touched up.

[quote=Poconojack]
I’d just fit a red pad to the gun. The bluing does not bother me and to my eye it looks far better now than it will when touched up.

+1

I think the brand on it is kinda cool and would not do anything with those portions.

I didn't see the pad situation but pads are easily changed and once a rifle has a pad there's no going back, so might as well just put what you like on there and move on.

Like I always tell the gunshop owners selling rifles. "That recoil pad turned a $400.00 stock into a $150.00 stock"... The same can be said for something that has been re-chambered. However, with that being said, I actually like the ones that have had an aftermarket recoil pad installed. That means its fair game for a good glass bedding job now. All bets are off at that point..

There's a lot of truth in that BSA. Totally agree.

Honestly, why are you worried about the marks... I would certainly claim they are a brand... you "fixing" the marks is not going to increase the value of the gun and might even hurt it more... put the pad you like on it and glass bed it and go hunting....

This one used to have the original owners social security number engraved on the receiver, below the stock line. Zoom in on the picture if you want. Its not there anymore...

Repro pads are horrible at reducing recoil, a red Pachmyer is the way to go. As far as glass bedding goes, I've owned dozens of M/70's and never felt the need to glass bed any of them. As far as rebluing just the action that is certainly possible. Just prepare the action and the barreled action can go in the bluing tank as a unit. I've done several that way, no harm to the blued parts.