I have an opportunity to buy a pre 64 model 70 shooter with a 5 digit serial number putting it late 1937 to early 1938.My question is availability of parts if something breaks.

Thanks

MAC

Lots of parts available on eBay and other sources (pre-war parts are a bit more expensive), I really wouldn’t worry about anything breaking.

What he said!

I bought my first pre'64 M/70 in 1975 and have owned many over the years, never had any parts breakage.

Thanks for the fast replies. I did not think breakage would be an issue but wear might. Just have to figure counter offer on price should be.

One of the allures of the M70 is they're like the Energizer Bunny, they just keep going and going.

Taking into consideration all of the pre 64's I have owned, I have had one give a problem.

It had some sort of problem with the safety not moving correctly. While I am all thumbs with fixing rifle problems, my local gunsmith fixed it quickly and cheaply.

In short, don't worry about possible problems. Those rifles were made to last and have proven it.

Thanks for the first hand info.

a few years ago I had a chance to handle and then shoot the 1950 made M70 in .375 H&H owned and used on the south end of Kodiak Island for 40 years by Morris Talifson, the famed brown bear guide. 40 years with both a spring and fall season on one of the harshest hunting environments on earth. The rifle fed rounds unbelieveably smooth.

On another occasion I had a lengthly conversation with one of the most celebrated hi-power shooters in the country, Middleton Tompkins. He used pre-64 M70 actions on his hi-power rifles for many, many years and won 6 national titles as I remember. I asked him how many rounds he thought he'd put thru one of his actions: he kind of chuckled and said "oh, probably close to 50,000." I asked did he ever had an action part break. He said just one extractor collar.

Kind of hard to find any better testimonials than those 2 about the ruggedness of those old M70s.

ruffed that is a true fact for sure. That speaks volumes about the actions. Now to figure what would be a fair price. This rifle is pretty well used but when you look at the age and how many hunting seasons it must have seen.

MAC

Buy the rifle... don't worry to much about the price... it is a treasure

Pre64win.com has any parts you might need in the future. The gentleman that runs it is a pleasure to deal with as well.

Honest pre-war rifles with no modifications command a premium.

What makes this one a "shooter" and not a collector? Is it just honest wear or has it had the rear bridge drilled and the stock cut for a pad?

Stock was cut for recoil pad.

The "pre '64 genre Winchester evolved across several principal sub models. All 'incremental'. Beyond 'collector' nuances, notable distinction some find negative is the so-called "flag safety". Not exactly scope friendly, Bit more svelte and scope compatible on later versions.
What you will get is the 'primo' prewar vintage Winchester is incrementally better quality. To me, well worth a premium. Incrementally slicker cycling action. The prewar to early postwar stocks also differ from latter ones, but only in inletting. Of course, no Monte Carlo stock pattern, such arriving in the fifties. All factors equal, I'd definitely prefer the prewar genre! Some exemplars from my collection 'not for prime time' photo files. Close ups Illustrating the safety difference. Coincidentally the inletting "tang area" difference too; more streamlined as latter. Scopes on prewar flag safety models, 'iffy' and 'may' achieve technical clearance, yet be clumsy to manipulate ergonomically.

Returned to add a full left side pix joining brief 'for interest' narrative... Rifle, Win 70 Super Grade, 15K serial range = 1939, in .257 Roberts. The scope is Weaver and scope mounts the 'collector friendly' Stith "no drill" species. Considered as complimenting rather than "extra holes", destroying collectability. Noting too, among collector qualified prewars, I have several 'extra holes' 70 models.... And loving them!

Good luck!
John

John thanks for the advice and photos to put it in perspective for me.

Well I needed up bringing this pre 64 rifle home with me for what I think was a decent price. The stock at some point had a cheek piece I think epoxied on it, has a small crack in the wrist and a recoil pad was installed. The rear sight is not with the rifle (so need to find one). Barrel marked 30 GOV'T' 06. Blue I think is normal for a hunting rifle from 1938 time frame.

Sounds like it definitely needs a stock. You don't say if its been drilled and tapped for a scope mount, or if it has any extra holes. I know that was not the intention of your op, but those are some of the things I look for when looking at rifles I'm going to buy. Bore condition, how it functions, check the safety and trigger, missing sights and front hood, re-blued and refinished. All considerations when buying a used rifle, especially a pre 64 model 70. Hopefully it's not too bad and is still serviceable. Keep in mind, the stock may cost more than $500.00 for an original condition clover leaf tang. The last one I had, I could have sold for $600.00, but it was for a 375H&H, which is even more difficult to find. If your rifle has extra holes, you might as well just buy a stock that has a recoil pad on it or has been cut for one and install a good pachmayr on it. All costs you will incur to get the rifle back into action. Even stocks with recoil pads have been bringing pretty good money lately. Upwards of $400.00. Good luck with your new rifle. It is probably like a lot of them: Carried far more than they were shot.

Mac, it would be good if you could get some photos up. Maybe that stock is salvageable in shooter context. Bedding material curing internal ills, if any. Some of the modern glues & paints, I'd suppose to cure structural/aesthetic ills. In all this, Mac not to insult you with pablum dialogue. Just don't know your knowledge/skill levels & attacking the described situation in basic terms!

BSA, I don't know much about the most recent decades of aftermarket 'plastic stocks'! Are there any OK types reasonably priced, available for the prewar vintage Model 70 rifles? Perhaps a source there? Otherwise eBay perhaps!

Best!
John

John, I do not know much on working with wood stocks. I believe that the stock is serviceable for a shooter, which is what I had always figured it was going to be.

The add on check piece actually fits me pretty good.

I will try to get some pictures of the stock up.

Here are a few pictures of what I was talking about. Like I have said I did not buy this as a collector item but as a shooter. I have less than 5 bills in this.

Like irfubar said, its a "treasure"..

Less than 5 bills? you got a deal. Are you handy with woodworking? if so, go to town and restore that stock. If you cannot, watch for a replacement stock they come up for sale.
Congrats, you will get good service out of that rifle and own a piece of history